Probably motivated by the unions.

"A massive backlash has started after Uber was today stripped of its licence to operate in London with hundreds of thousands of passengers signing a petition to keep the app running.

Transport for London (TfL) sensationally announced the firm would be barred from working in the city from next month due to its failure to report crimes carried out by its drivers…"

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/artic...icence-decision.html

Good idea; lets stifle some people who want to work.

quote:

Originally posted by greco:
Good idea; lets stifle some people who want to work.

Wrong.

My big problem with Uber is that they don't play by the same rules as other similar services. They don't need business licenses or "Medallions", and it wasn't until recently that they were required to have commercial insurance.

I have no problem with Uber doing business if they follow the same rules as other companies doing the same business. This just seems like cheating to me.

So maybe the right solution is to change the rules? But everyone needs to play by the same rules.

Just my opinion, although it's a soapbox for me.

(And, of course, this doesn't count the corporate culture of Uber....)

Yep, either everyone doing commercial livery is subject to the same rules or they are not,

You don't get a pass because because you drive your Hyundai occasionally. If you ferry either a person or food for Ubers new Restaurant delivery service, at the point you toss that switch you are a commercial driver.

You need a commercial drivers license

Your insurance needs to be upgraded to commercial livery service and you need to
change the miles you reported you drive so you
pay the appropriate rate.

If the city has a registration process and license procedure for livery drivers, Uber drivers need to comply.

Otherwise what's the point of having the rules and laws if some folks don't are not subject to them.

Sounds like some people are heavily invested in buggy whip manufacturing.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
Yep, either everyone doing commercial livery is subject to the same rules or they are not....

Dang, I'm not alone!

quote:

Originally posted by IntrepidTraveler:

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
Yep, either everyone doing commercial livery is subject to the same rules or they are not....

Dang, I'm not alone!

No but I'm sure we'll be under attack from the free market folks soon, I have a trench built across the front yard, some claymores and a 50 Cal mounted on the roof.....

Something is wrong when a pedicabber is held to higher and stricter licensing and insurance standards than a TNC (Transportation Network Company) driver, e.g., Uber & Lyft.

Not all the TNCs are bad, but I have no sympathy for Uber and Lyft. They treat their drivers like shit, especially the ones who work the hardest. Their business model depends on their drivers being entirely disposable and replaceable. When someone can sign up and start driving in about two hours, there's a sucker every minute willing to give it a shot.

I'll keep my uber, thank you.

I've used the local airport shuttles many, many times but finally had the last straw a few months the back. It was actually on that last Shuttle ride that I finally downloaded the uber app and haven't looked back.

First I have to book well ahead time for the shuttle, and they only pick up for certain times depending on your flight departure time. Then they say they could be up to 20 minutes past the scheduled pickup time depending on how many people are picked up before you. And if you're picked up first you have the pleasure of being shuttled around Park city to pick up everyone else after you. Oh yeah, and of course you're sharing a ride with a bunch of other people.

Also if you cancel within 24 hours, you pay in full. Not only that, but it's more expensive than uber to boot!

My last Shuttle ride, the man who picked me up (over 20 mins late by the way) was easily in his late 70's and apparently never heard of gps. He had a hand drawn map for his pickups. Me and the other passenger after watching him search around for 15 mins finally asked for the address of the next pickup so we could enter it into our phones and direct him to the house which we did. We both had flights to catch after all.

And that wasn't the end of it. Screw that nonsense. I finally took my first uber on the way home and will never subject myself to one of those Shuttle rides again.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:

quote:

Originally posted by IntrepidTraveler:

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
Yep, either everyone doing commercial livery is subject to the same rules or they are not....

Dang, I'm not alone!

No but I'm sure we'll be under attack from the free market folks soon, I have a trench built across the front yard, some claymores and a 50 Cal mounted on the roof.....

The number of taxi medallions were held at artificially low levels by driver's unions, taxi cab companies and complicit politicians. This allowed monopoly pricing for a sub-standard product with politicians getting a cut in the form of campaign donations.

Why do you hate freedom?

Rules?

The rules are antiquated. Forcing people to use taxis is like forcing people to use fax machines or film cameras. Taxis are a business model from another era.

The part that amazes me is that, knowing it can be done and the market wants it, is that cab companies haven't embraced using the same app based technology to improve their share of the market.

I've used Uber because I know that my ride is going to arrive, and when. I can expect a reasonably clean and comfortable vehicle. I don't need to mess about with cash or credit cards. Offer me a better product and I'll use it. Don't work to curb the competition instead.

quote:

Originally posted by zoom6zoom:
The part that amazes me is that, knowing it can be done and the market wants it, is that cab companies haven't embraced using the same app based technology to improve their share of the market.

I've used Uber because I know that my ride is going to arrive, and when. I can expect a reasonably clean and comfortable vehicle. I don't need to mess about with cash or credit cards. Offer me a better product and I'll use it. Don't work to curb the competition instead.

I have seen apps from the more traditional taxi companies. What hasn't changed is that their prices are still a multiple of Uber's while their service is, at the very best, no better.

Once Uber and Lyft figure out they must share their income with the 'ruling class', those prices will be in line with the competion.

The Uber pricing model does not have to follow the cost model of their competitors.

Often rules are established to manipulate the 'free' market.

I still maintain the only free market left is the black market / underground economy.

Once we go cashless, the free market is truly dead.

quote:

Originally posted by TooTech:

quote:

Originally posted by zoom6zoom:
The part that amazes me is that, knowing it can be done and the market wants it, is that cab companies haven't embraced using the same app based technology to improve their share of the market.

I've used Uber because I know that my ride is going to arrive, and when. I can expect a reasonably clean and comfortable vehicle. I don't need to mess about with cash or credit cards. Offer me a better product and I'll use it. Don't work to curb the competition instead.

I have seen apps from the more traditional taxi companies. What hasn't changed is that their prices are still a multiple of Uber's while their service is, at the very best, no better.

Medallions? Why should I care about Medallions and how Uber and ride sharing are destroying the values of those Medallions? Medallions are investments for people in the taxi business and they have lost huge money. But like any investment, there are risks associated with them. Like others had said - from another era.

Give me a superior product and I will buy. Simple. Uber is cheaper, cleaner, smells great, faster and more courteous. Price estimates are generally accurate. A winner in the consumers' eyes.

quote:

Originally posted by IntrepidTraveler:

quote:

Originally posted by greco:
Good idea; lets stifle some people who want to work.

Wrong.

My big problem with Uber is that they don't play by the same rules as other similar services. They don't need business licenses or "Medallions", and it wasn't until recently that they were required to have commercial insurance.

I have no problem with Uber doing business if they follow the same rules as other companies doing the same business. This just seems like cheating to me.

So maybe the right solution is to change the rules? But everyone needs to play by the same rules.

Just my opinion, although it's a soapbox for me.

(And, of course, this doesn't count the corporate culture of Uber....)

Yeah, that's what is needed > MORE regulations to stifle business.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:

quote:

Originally posted by IntrepidTraveler:

quote:

Originally posted by greco:
Good idea; lets stifle some people who want to work.

Wrong.

My big problem with Uber is that they don't play by the same rules as other similar services. They don't need business licenses or "Medallions", and it wasn't until recently that they were required to have commercial insurance.

I have no problem with Uber doing business if they follow the same rules as other companies doing the same business. This just seems like cheating to me.

So maybe the right solution is to change the rules? But everyone needs to play by the same rules.

Just my opinion, although it's a soapbox for me.

(And, of course, this doesn't count the corporate culture of Uber....)

Yeah, that's what is needed > MORE regulations to stifle business.

Actually, that's NOT what I said. What I said was they all need to play by the same rules. Whether they need MORE rules, or the other guys need LESS rules, the rules should be the same.

And like I and others have said, to use one example, they should ALL have commercial insurance. I don't think that's one of the "rules" you'd like to see relaxed.

The Uber App for mobile phones is simply awesome. My financial guy took me to lunch via Uber. The App's display showed several Uber cars in the vicinity, and the progress of the one that accepted his request. And he could talk to that driver on his phone – advised him when he made a wrong turn.

I'm gonna get that App!

I believe and fully support if they serve in the same market they should abide by the same rules. If Uber wants to be in that market, they should be required to pay the same bribes as the unions.

But I would be surprised if the City of London is doing this for any honorable reasons.

Interesting to hear a British perspective on Uber from people calling into Nigel Farage's radio show:



https://youtu.be/aSX_dpNdVCA