There's a serious chance Uber won't be allowed to operate in London

There’s a real chance Uber won’t be allowed to operate in London, with the city’s transport authorities spooked by the firm’s history of poor behaviour.

Three board members at London’s transport regulator, Transport for London, want Uber’s operator licence cancelled, or renewed only with strict conditions, according to The Sunday Times.

They are particularly worried about Uber’s corporate behaviour, predominantly in the US where the firm is being investigated by the FBI for using secret software to evade local regulators.

A leaked letter that TfL board member Michael Liebrich sent questions Uber’s alleged “regulatory evasion”, its passenger safety record, and the way it rates passengers.

The newspaper quotes a second board member as saying: “My position is that we shouldn’t renew the licence. I did raise concerns about the way Uber reportedly ‘games’ its application to deceive regulators, also issues around increasing congestion and private hire vehicle numbers.”

Transport for London is responsible for licensing black cab and private-hire drivers, as well as private-hire operators like Uber.

It’s under serious pressure either to revoke Uber’s licence or to impose serious restrictions on the company when the firm’s licence comes up for renewal at the end of September.

Former Uber drivers, black cab firms, the police, and MPs have all been hugely critical of the firm over the last two years, claiming that drivers end up out-of-pocket, and that Uber fails to adequately report sexual assault.They argue that Uber has unfairly wriggled around existing rules and regulation to the detriment of London’s traditional black taxis.

Uber’s licence actually came up for renewal earlier this year, and TfL granted the company a four-month licence. In the meantime, it launched a consultation on whether to hike up the fees for a private-hire operator licence.

That means that even if Uber wins a five-year licence, it could end up paying more than £2 million for its 40,000 drivers in the city.

Uber said in a statement to The Sunday Times: “Over 3m Londoners regularly use Uber. We want to continue to do so.”

The news comes as Taxify, a cheap rival to Uber, had its licence revoked by Transport for London. The company has appealed the decision.

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There's a serious risk Uber won't be allowed to operate in London

There’s a real risk Uber won’t be allowed to operate in London, with the city’s transport authorities spooked by the firm’s history of poor behaviour.

Three board members at London’s transport regulator, Transport for London, want Uber’s operator licence cancelled, or renewed only with strict conditions, according to The Sunday Times.

They are particularly worried about Uber’s corporate behaviour, predominantly in the US where the firm is being investigated by the FBI for using secret software to evade local regulators.

A leaked letter that TfL board member Michael Liebrich sent questions Uber’s alleged “regulatory evasion”, its passenger safety record, and the way it rates passengers.

The newspaper quotes a second board member as saying: “My position is that we shouldn’t renew the licence. I did raise concerns about the way Uber reportedly ‘games’ its application to deceive regulators, also issues around increasing congestion and private hire vehicle numbers.”

Transport for London is responsible for licensing black cab and private-hire drivers, as well as private-hire operators like Uber.

It’s under serious pressure either to revoke Uber’s licence or to impose serious restrictions on the company when the firm’s licence comes up for renewal at the end of September.

Former Uber drivers, black cab firms, the police, and MPs have all been hugely critical of the firm over the last two years, claiming that drivers end up out-of-pocket, and that Uber fails to adequately report sexual assault.They argue that Uber has unfairly wriggled around existing rules and regulation to the detriment of London’s traditional black taxis.

Uber’s licence actually came up for renewal earlier this year, and TfL granted the company a four-month licence. In the meantime, it launched a consultation on whether to hike up the fees for a private-hire operator licence.

That means that even if Uber wins a five-year licence, it could end up paying more than £2 million for its 40,000 drivers in the city.

Uber said in a statement to The Sunday Times: “Over 3m Londoners regularly use Uber. We want to continue to do so.”

The news comes as Taxify, a cheap rival to Uber, had its licence revoked by Transport for London. The company has appealed the decision.

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A Statement To the Trade Re National Make A Stand Day 25th September 2017... by Harry Wall

Last December I was interviewed on London Taxi Radio where I protested about the lacklustre fight all three orgs were putting up against TFL and Uber. 

I said I thought Steve Mac was TFL's bitch and other than fruitless meetings, nothing tangible was being done by any of the orgs to show us as a trade deserving of respect. 

I also said they needed to show some backbone. Soon after, I was invited back on the show as a guest when trade matters were discussed by UCG, LCDC and RMT leaders. The LTDA was invited but chose not to show up. 

I asked why they didn't go after John Mason as many think he illegally issued Uber it's first license, it wasn't received well and needless to say I didn't get an answer as my question and presence wasn't a comfort.

Since then I've regularly posted my thoughts on social media and always called for firm action by the org leaders in meetings with TFL, direct action where necessary and a firm undertaking by all orgs to stand together for the sake of us, the drivers they represent. 

I've regularly warned of the dangers complacency brings and of allowing missed opportunities to become common practice, not once was I or other advocates of similar thoughts listened to and has now lead us to a position of desperation. We all know what needs to be done as a unified trade but we've never been listened to, never been considered and in my opinion never will be.

Nine months later, our fate lies in the hands of the same corporate whores I warned against in December and nothing's changed. One of them however, Leon Daniels has decided to retire. He leaves having ravaged the lives of all of us, responsible for drivers depression, repossessed homes and cabs, wrecked marriages along with countless  numbers of Uber victims he could've prevented.

He also leaves with a wonderful payout no doubt, along with an equally wonderful pension partially payed for by Uber and Geely, I suspect. 

The pension fund for TFL is managed by Blackrock who have shares in Uber and also Geely, so aside from our nightmare contributing to it, every electric cab you buy adds more to his pension pot somehow through the financial quagmire of hedge funds.

You couldn't make it up.

Every week a bombshell comes to light regarding the corruption, double dealing, cover-ups, sneaky emails trying to manage bad press, and endless accounts of deviant behaviour by Uber drivers ignored by TFL managers. The latest being 13k Uber drivers driving without the adequate DBS checks who've been given 28 days by Helen Chapman to rectify the situation, we all know if they were BC drivers each one would be suspended immediately.

Also this week it was revealed TFL signed a non-disclosure agreement with Uber back in May shortly before Uber received a 4 month extension, why?

Secrets and lies obviously lace the corridors of TFL's power base and we're the victims of them, it's time we put a stop to it. A meeting was had by org leaders and TFL but...........?

We all know Uber function on an illegal licence and business model. The crimes committed by its drivers are well documented so why is it allowed to continue?

The corporate pound note is all forgiving, that's why.

But that doesn't mean we should be, but our silence gives another impression.

The only fight we see from the orgs is constantly on display on social media as seen in recent weeks. It's like a permanent power struggle with infighting clear for the world to see.

All of them insulting each other and battling for trade supremacy as if it matters, forgetting their petty arguments and egos mean nothing to us when we're working longer hours with little family time. 

If they spent half their time fighting TFL as they do each other we'd be much better off.

This has to stop but somehow I can't see it happening.

It's come to my attention that drivers are becoming increasingly tired of this behaviour and direction, they want more. A driver lead national day of action has been decided upon and for the first time in our history taxis are being asked to join with private hire drivers in an effort to maximise the effect.

It's also endorsed by the GMB.

It's our chance to make our own stand where the orgs have failed. From what I'm told the last straw was the deafening silence that followed the Mail revelations, but more recently Inspector Billany's letter to TFL and last week's DBS discovery. It seems no amount of proof of wrongdoing and possible malfeasance is enough to bring about change, nor will it prompt action and that's the problem.

There is no direction planned, this is a chance for all of us to make a stand in our own way, whatever stand we hoped the orgs would make for us, but won't.

It's a case of organising and coordinating among ourselves with the only guidelines being to behave like the professionals we all are and to act within the constraints of the law at all times.

One day of action won't solve our many complex problems and damaged trade but in order to begin the process of repair we must first force TFL and the establishment to take us seriously and listen, which is the most important element that none of the orgs have managed to secure.

The last few years have taken its tole on people and it's a case of enough is enough. Driver lead action has now become a reality which is something TFL and the authorities are equally desperate to avoid as its uncontrollable, despite the threat of revocation of licenses which has been a successful tool used to control us along with being safe in the knowledge of an inadequate record of missed opportunities to make our voices heard.

However, the constant "Big news Monday" with nothing happening Tuesday has had its day and the tide has turned.

It's a day for you to make your voice heard, to protect your future and to stand shoulder to shoulder with legitimate PH in order to shout louder than before and make a difference for yourself instead of burying your head in the sand and hoping someone does it for you. Forget trade differences for this one day, argue later if we make a loud enough noise.

Together we must stand firm and say no to the corruption and wilful destruction of our livelihoods throughout the country, demand Uber's license be denied, the business model outlawed and those responsible for our 5 years of torment brought to book wherever they are, it can't be tolerated anymore.

The success of this day depends solely on the will to make it work, your will to protect your job and your family. It must be considered a watershed moment for us all and approached with the utmost common sense and intent to forget all our differences for 6 hours and put our families interests first and foremost.

It can work if we want it to but we have to be grown up, adult and make it work.

Men have spent hours gathering proof and evidence of guilt, corruption and all sorts of wrongdoing, managed to get it in the media only for lead figures to allow it to be forgotten.

It's like they've loaded a gun to be fired at TFL, only to watch it dropped by those charged with pulling the trigger.

Shameful.

The 25th September is MAKE A STAND day.

Make it our day.

Make it work.

Harry. https://twitter.com/messages/media/907344929759920135

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Press Night For The Knowledge, Taxi Leaks Review By Jim Thomas.

 

First of all, I like to thank Vaughan Williams and Steven M Levy for their hospitality yesterday at the press showing of "The Knowledge", at the Charing Cross Theatre. (Yes I did find it thank you). 

The play has finally found its way back to the very centre of the six mile radius around which the knowledge is firmly based. 

I'd also like to take the opportunity to give Maureen Lipman, Simon Block, the cast and crew a standing ovation for the immense work that's gone into adapting Jack Rosenthal's words from screen to stage.

Having 'done' Knowledge of London in the same decade in which the play is set, I felt closer to the story line than most. 

The old Public Carriage Office was a formidable place, housing not only Taxi administration and the Metropolitan Lost Property Office, but also the inspection centre, where every Taxi in London was plated (licensed). All contained in a 'state of the art' building, a huge step upwards from the dark days of the dungeon, located in Black Prince Road, Lambeth.   

But.... it could also be a very frightening place, especially on appearance day. 

Every examiner back in my day, were ex 'Old Bill'. Finlay, Rance, Wicks, Hedges and Miller, all having the ability to reduced grown men (and women) to trembling wrecks with very few words.

Sitting in the waiting room (which had paper thin walls), you would sometimes catch the occasional mumbled point from a knowledge student in the adjacent office. Everyone would breakout in a cold sweat, feeling as if Darren Brown had suddenly walked into the room and emptied their brains.

We were fully aware of what we were taking on before we started....the hardest Taxi test in the world, one that no one fails. You either 'do' the Knowledge or you jack it in. 

Seventy percent of all applicant fail to complete and as Steven Pacey, who plays Mr Burgess says: 

"There's only one way to pass the Knowledge, and that's to go out and do the bugger".

Taxi drivers have so much to learn, that it actually increases the size of their brain. Science has shown, London Cabbies have a larger hypo-campus than most other professions.  

Also let's not forget, back then the game was dead, we knew this because ever Cabby we spoke to told us. But we carried on regardless.

I'm not going to give out any spoilers from the show, as I feel most of Taxi Leak's readers will have already seen the film, but the cast under the directorship of Maureen Lipman have done an incredible job bringing Jack's characters back to life, transporting us back to the 70s. 

The shows wonderful soundtrack, performed by none other than our very own multi talented saxophonist, John Cox (ParkerCabbie)

We all know how hard the knowledge can be, but we should never forget our partners, family and friends who, in a supportive role, do the knowledge with us. 

I must finish by saying there is not another feeling on this earth (career wise), liken to getting your Green Badge, or the first time you hear the words from another cabbie "Be Lucky Son"

Taxi Leaks Extra: 

Doing the knowledge once is hard enough, but I have a good friend (Dave Smith) who has had to do the knowledge (albeit in a reduced capacity) three times. I believe that's possibly a record.

Having got his badge months before before me, he suddenly decided to sell up and went to live down under in Australia.

A few years down the line, he decided to come back. Dave applied to get his bill back but was told he would have to do the knowledge again, which he did. 

Some years later he had a head on collision and was quite badly injured, putting him out of the trade for a few more years. Again to come back, he had to resit the knowledge a third time and is still working as a cabby today. 

 

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Email Sent To Senior Tfl Staff And Val Shawcross...Re 13,000 PH Drivers Unchecked By DBS

Dear Helen,

On Wednesday, as you know, we met Commissioner, Mike Brown. 

At the meeting I asked for all 13,000 PH drivers who have had to "Re-Apply" for a new DBS check to be stopped from working until new checks have been implemented on the grounds of Public Safety:

You explained that not only did you feel that was not necessary, but also stated to those present that you believe whole heartedly that all those who would reapply, would pass.

The next day on LBC radio, the Mayor gave an interview where he stated the 13k PH drivers "had not" undergone and passed an enhanced DBS ( like every taxi driver must do ).

We are not talking "like for like" here Helen, as you well know and on this new evidence put forward by our Mayor, I again urge you in the name of public safety to suspend every PH who has yet to pass an enhanced DBS from working.

Yours Sincerely

Grant Davis

LCDC

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Good News For Electric Taxis? Nissan Leaf, Got An Upgrade This Week, Unveiling A European Range Of 235 Miles

The world's best selling electric car, the Nissan Leaf, got an upgrade this week 

Unveiling a European range of 235 miles on a single battery charge, and new self driving features such as assisted parking. 

This really will pour water onto the London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) TX plug in replacement of the TX4, with its limited 70 mile range.

The question now is, will this new technology bring the Nissan e-NV200 Taxi Of Tomorrow -which is based on the Nissan Leaf model- back into the equation for the London market, when new rules come into force in January next year?

Only electric Taxis capable of near zero emissions, qwill be licensed by TfL.

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What The Taxi Trade Really Feel About Leon Daniels : 97% Want Him Sacked. ... By Laurence Green

A few home truths need to be hammered home regarding the resignation of Leon Daniels and the outrageous claims made by Mike Brown TFL - Mike Brown claims Leon Daniels:

“Our progress under his leadership has been considerable. This includes building a bus service that is the envy of all world cities, laying firm foundations for radical change in walking and cycling and helping focus us on improving road safety and air quality to help secure our city's future.”

Mike Brown must be teleported Star Trek style directly from his home to his office, because he is totally oblivious to the abject carnage Leon Daniels has caused to London’s road traffic systems.

London is certainly not the envy of the World when it comes to commuting; most passengers I speak to tell me they detest travelling on public transport as it is a unsavoury, uncomfortable experience!

London’s buses are so inefficient at negotiating their way through London due to the CSH, it is quicker to walk than take a bus - many commuters choose to cycle rather than suffer the daily purgatory of being crammed into trains and buses with standing room only while the bus sits in TFL's self made traffic mayhem. 

This is what Mike Brown describes as progress!!!!

Central London's traffic pollution is on record as dropping by 50% during a bus drivers strike, which goes to prove that buses are a significant contributor to London's pollution problem - this coupled with the gross mismanagement of the capitals road management systems are the real reason for rising air pollution and the health issues associated with it.

It beggars belief Mike Brown has the audacity to credit Leon Daniels with improving road safety; the appalling statistics of bus collisions, fatalities and reckless operation by bus drivers is unprecedented – not to mention TFL's reckless abandonment towards their duty to protect the general publics safety by the turning of a blind eye to the appalling everyday road traffic collisions and reckless driving by Uber partners.

Brown goes on to say:

“I am very grateful for the advice and support he has given me”

Leon Daniels made false representation when questioned by the GLA by saying Uber drivers have ON/OFF insurance cover while operating on the Uber platform - He was also exposed coaching senior Uber executives how to word correspondence, in order to side step legislation.

In reality, TFL has desperately tried to ride on the back of the reputation London Taxi drivers have as being the best in the World. If anything Leon Daniels and Co have reduced London’s road network to the standard of a Third Word City in a failed attempt to run a bus network.

IN MY OPINION, THAT'S FAILURE, NOT PROGRESS!

All in two days: Sadiq Khan goes on LBC to reassure everyone it will ultimately be senior individuals at TFL who make the decision to re license Uber, thus letting himself off the hook when Uber get re-licensed. He claims it has nothing to do with him in his capacity as mayor - yet he contradicted himself in the LBC interview by saying, "Uber was licensed by his predecessor Boris Johnson!"

    

The following day, Mike Brown releases a statement revealing Leon Daniels will be standing down from his position at TFL.

He is to ride off into the sunset with his pot of gold, leaving a trail of disaster behind him in his wake - Far from the glowing praise Brown lavished on Daniels for his input in transforming London's road network of buses, cycles etc to be the envy of the world (Absolute FARCICAL Bullshit)

The newly formed New United Trade Group (NUT GROUP) attend Palestra to be spoon fed reassurances by Helen Chapman, that she can guarantee 13000 PH drivers CRB/DBS checks will come back "Fit and Proper" so she grants the 13000 drivers a 28 day amnesty to re apply for the advanced DBS checks that are mandatory for Licensed Taxi drivers - Yet she doesn't have the same confidence in Licensed Taxi drivers to grant licence extensions to existing licenses, as she wouldn't be able to sleep at night if an incident should occur involving the general public's safety in this period - regardless of the fact that the vast majority of London cab drivers backgrounds can be checked back as far as their fathers scrotal sacks. 

Taxify are issued a written warning from TFL to cease operating immediately; which they comply with - Yet Uber are allowed to continue operating on a license extension to their existing license which was issued illegally by TFL - regardless of there being a mountain of crime statistics of serious criminal activity by Uber drivers and daily main stream media reports exposing serious improprieties of the Uber company and its operations.

Honestly, I'm convinced more than ever that Narnia actually exists and the people that run TFL were trained for their jobs there!

OFF THE WALL and DOUBLE STANDARD comes to mind!

Taxi Leaks Extra Comnent :

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