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[JonathanEx]

Uber have zero safety standards or background checks.

Black cabs do.

Are you living in opposite world?

I think it is fair to point out that many people do feel safer - particularly I've seen women say they feel more comfortable than in a cab and PoC who have issues with black cabbies even accepting their fare.


Which'd be great, if you know, they did those safety checks etc.

 

[Izuna]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...ex-attacks-on-london-passengers-a7037926.html

Was reading this immediately after requesting a link.

Seems I've a bunch of facts wrong myself.

 

[Spuck-uk]

If Black Cabs are better why do my generation all use Uber?

Because your generation is poor. Not a judgement just a statement, London is expensive.

Also black cabs aren't the only non-Uber cabs in London, I lived there for ten years, took plenty of Taxis and black cabs like..twice.

 

[tonysidaway]

For those people who seem to think Uber is safe:

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp....report-sex-attacks-by-drivers-says-met-police

The Metropolitan Police are worried.

 

[KarneeKarnay]

Because your generation is poor. Not a judgement just a statement, London is expensive.

Also black cabs aren't the only non-Uber cabs in London, I lived there for ten years, took plenty of Taxis and black cabs like..twice.

Don't feed him. I'm still waiting on some evidence to back up these claims.

 

[Wrestlemania]

Are you kidding me?!

AL does it for 2x the price, is unreliable and the prices in the middle of the fucking night go 5x, which is when you need it most, really. I use AL for work all the time and honestly their drivers have fucked up so many times, I've never had bad experience with Uber.

I just checked how much an AL would cost to get me home from work if I booked it now. £23 for AL, £23-30 for Uber. AL price stays the same if I did the same journey at 3am.
Citation needed on all these "Non-Uber cabs are so much more expensive" claims.

 

[Spuck-uk]

I think it is fair to point out that many people do feel safer - particularly I've seen women say they feel more comfortable than in a cab and PoC who have issues with black cabbies even accepting their fare.


Which'd be great, if you know, they did those safety checks etc.

Feeling safe and being safe are different things. A nice shiny new Mercedes looks lovely and safe, doesn't mean the driver isn't a rapist.

 

[Jumeira]

Black cabs are operated by unpleasant drivers with short fuses, ive had really bad experiences with them, and their costs are ridiculous, Uber are superior due to cost and most importantly, convenience. Uber needs to restructure itself and improve conditions for its workers but id much rather give my money to Uber drivers then those Black Cab drivers, they have taunted me in the past and dont give a shit about your journey, there's very little accountability with the way they treat customers. If not Uber we need another company to provide convenient travel at reasonable price, Cabbies shouldnt be allowed to monopolise this market, especially with thier poor treatment of customers.

 

[Izuna]

AL weren't there for me during a Tube strike is all.

That was the day I downloaded Uber and became a fan, so I must have mentally blocked all evidence to their bullshit.

I still don't have good experiences with Black Cabs though.

 

[FyreWulff]

I genuinely do not know the answer to this, but isn't Uber meant to provide a much safer service? Can someone explain to me why Black Cabs aren't held to Uber's standard?

Plenty of news stories out there of Uber drivers reacting or being violent towards women when they're turned down

 

[JonathanEx]

Feeling safe and being safe are different things. A nice shiny new Mercedes looks lovely and safe, doesn't mean the driver isn't a rapist.

I agree. For what it's worth - I'm for this decision, but thought it was worth noting groups who will be feeling less comfortable with this at the moment.

 

[Clay Davis]

This is anecdotal, so I appreciate some will ignore it, but my girlfriend recently had a really bad experience with a black tax driver.

She took a taxi from outside station at around 9pm and she asked him to take her home. All throughout the trip he was making lewd comments and kept asking her personal questions about if she was seeing someone and why a "pretty girl like her was out all alone". When she eventually got home (a trip that usually takes 10 minutes took almost 20 minutes), the driver stayed parked in front of her house for another 15 minutes before driving off.

I know some Uber drivers aren't any better, but I was quite shocked this when she told me and it makes me question just how safe black taxis are too. They are regulated, yes, but you are still getting a vehicle with a person you don't know and a vehicle you know nothing about should, god forbid, the worst happen.

 

[Wrestlemania]

I just checked how much an AL would cost to get me home from work if I booked it now. £23 for AL, £23-30 for Uber. AL price stays the same if I did the same journey at 3am.
Citation needed on all these "Non-Uber cabs are so much more expensive" claims.

Tried Gett as well - £22.90.

 

[Spuck-uk]

This is anecdotal, so I appreciate some will ignore it, but my girlfriend recently had a really bad experience with a black tax driver.

She took a taxi from outside station at around 9pm and she asked him to take her home. All throughout the trip he was making lewd comments and kept asking her personal questions about if she was seeing someone and why a "pretty girl like her was out all alone". When she eventually got home (a trip that usually takes 10 minutes took almost 20 minutes), the driver stayed parked in front of her house for another 15 minutes before driving off.

I know some Uber drivers aren't any better, but I was quite shocked this when she told me and it makes me question just how safe black taxis are too. They are regulated, yes, but you are still getting a vehicle with a person you don't know and a vehicle you know nothing about should, god forbid, the worst happen.

If we're doing anecdotes, a Black cab driver gave my girlfriend (and her friend) a trip to the hospital for free after her drink was spiked in a nightclub, and gave her a mobile number to take her home for free afterwards.

My friends and me once got out of a cab because the driver was being fucking racist.

Anecdotes aren't very useful.

 

[Izuna]

Tried Gett as well - £22.90.

Gett quotes are utter bullshit. Had to pay £13 more at one point and had to send an email complaining about it to get a refund.

If an Uber driver makes a wrong turn you can quietly get credit straight away.

 

[Spuck-uk]

I just checked how much an AL would cost to get me home from work if I booked it now. £23 for AL, £23-30 for Uber. AL price stays the same if I did the same journey at 3am.
Citation needed on all these "Non-Uber cabs are so much more expensive" claims.

That was my experience in London as well.

 

[tonysidaway]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...ex-attacks-on-london-passengers-a7037926.html

And even more worrying, a link in that article is to a story about Uber and Lyft deliberately campaigning to have Austin's requirement for driver background checks removed. When the referendum failed, they withdrew from Austin.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...ft-austin-proposition-1-leaving-a7018876.html

This is horrible. Why would anybody trust a company that tried that shit on its own customers?

 

[Wrestlemania]

Gett quotes are utter bullshit. Had to pay £13 more at one point and had to send an email complaining about it to get a refund.

If an Uber driver makes a wrong turn you can quietly get credit straight away.

You can pay a fixed price when you book, or chance the meter. That's the price I got quoted, and it says it'll only change if you change the destination or cancel early.

 

[Jumeira]

This is anecdotal, so I appreciate some will ignore it, but my girlfriend recently had a really bad experience with a black tax driver.

She took a taxi from outside station at around 9pm and she asked him to take her home. All throughout the trip he was making lewd comments and kept asking her personal questions about if she was seeing someone and why a "pretty girl like her was out all alone". When she eventually got home (a trip that usually takes 10 minutes took almost 20 minutes), the driver stayed parked in front of her house for another 15 minutes before driving off.

I know some Uber drivers aren't any better, but I was quite shocked this when she told me and it makes me question just how safe black taxis are too. They are regulated, yes, but you are still getting a vehicle with a person you don't know and a vehicle you know nothing about should, god forbid, the worst happen.

I know right, ive sat in a black cab who was downright racist shouting about immigrants, saying it was ok when my Grandad came in the 50s etc, "your alright", but theres too many of you etc.

Uber drivers are monitored and rated ive always felt drivers valued thier rating per ride and would be unusually accomodating towards making my journey comfortable Also, i can monitor the drivers path and make suggestions, get a report emailed to me to inspect, just in case i feel the driver was dishonest. Fortunately thats never been the case.

I want Uber to continue but ofcourse improve conditions but the convenience and comfort it offers is unmatched. Their drivers dont provoke or taunt either.

 

[tonysidaway]

This is anecdotal, so I appreciate some will ignore it, but my girlfriend recently had a really bad experience with a black tax driver.

I hope she reported this.

 

[FutureLarking]

This is anecdotal, so I appreciate some will ignore it, but my girlfriend recently had a really bad experience with a black tax driver.

She took a taxi from outside station at around 9pm and she asked him to take her home. All throughout the trip he was making lewd comments and kept asking her personal questions about if she was seeing someone and why a "pretty girl like her was out all alone". When she eventually got home (a trip that usually takes 10 minutes took almost 20 minutes), the driver stayed parked in front of her house for another 15 minutes before driving off.

I know some Uber drivers aren't any better, but I was quite shocked this when she told me and it makes me question just how safe black taxis are too. They are regulated, yes, but you are still getting a vehicle with a person you don't know and a vehicle you know nothing about should, god forbid, the worst happen.

The thing with black cab drivers in general is they're quite a chatty bunch, it's usually part of their job (and after a late night, they'll usually wait before driving off either waiting for a fare or taking some chill out time on a quiet street)..

That being said, not saying that was the case in your girlfriends case buuuuut it's not massively out of line with the experiences I've had on late Friday / weekend nights. And some of the cabbies are straight racist / old school mysogonistic, etc. I've always wondered why I've never seen a female cabbie. Certainly if I'm drunk or sending someone who's a bit worse for ware off, I'd try and get a black cab driver. Usually they seem to care about making sure you're still concious and alive back there.

0 hell's I'd send them in an Uber, though AL isn't a bad choice.

(Used Uber a few times in London and tbh, they didn't even bother try and talking. Had far more pleasant journies in the US tho).

 

[Izuna]

You can pay a fixed price when you book, or chance the meter. That's the price I got quoted, and it says it'll only change if you change the destination or cancel early.

I'm saying the fixed price to the same destination can go over. It isn't a guarantee.

 

[Giant Panda]

Not for the employees.

Sorry 'independent contractors'

If the drivers have it so bad why do they even drive for Uber then? Because they must feel it's better than any of their other options. You're basically telling those employees that you know what's better for them than they do.

 

[Clay Davis]

If we're doing anecdotes, a Black cab driver gave my girlfriend (and her friend) a trip to the hospital for free after her drink was spiked in a nightclub, and gave her a mobile number to take her home for free afterwards.

My friends and me once got out of a cab because the driver was being fucking racist.

Anecdotes aren't very useful.

I was relaying a story. I made a point to say it's an anecdote and might be ignored as such. The underlying point is still valid, a black taxi can still be as dangerous as an Uber at night.

Yes, they are regulated, but you are still entering into a strangers vehicle and unlike Uber, it's not always immediately clear what the black taxi's identifiers are. With Uber you get their name, their car registration number and a picture, all of which can be forwarded to others.

I want to be clear, I am not making the case that Uber is safer, I know Uber has had some serious issues, but the safety and regulated arguments aren't as clear cut and simple as they are portrayed.

 

[Symphonia]

I'll throw Khan in the fucking river if he does this and normally I like him.

Don't take our Uber away, it has changed the game in London, we cannot go back.

I used to like Uber until a contact of mine was sexually assaulted by a driver. She reported it but nothing came of it. Glad they’re going down.

 

[Zaph]

I used to like Uber until a contact of mine was sexually assaulted by a driver. She reported it but nothing came of it. Glad they’re going down.

She reported a sexual assault to the police and they did nothing?

 

[Auraela]

This is anecdotal, so I appreciate some will ignore it, but my girlfriend recently had a really bad experience with a black tax driver.

She took a taxi from outside station at around 9pm and she asked him to take her home. All throughout the trip he was making lewd comments and kept asking her personal questions about if she was seeing someone and why a "pretty girl like her was out all alone". When she eventually got home (a trip that usually takes 10 minutes took almost 20 minutes), the driver stayed parked in front of her house for another 15 minutes before driving off.

I know some Uber drivers aren't any better, but I was quite shocked this when she told me and it makes me question just how safe black taxis are too. They are regulated, yes, but you are still getting a vehicle with a person you don't know and a vehicle you know nothing about should, god forbid, the worst happen.

Okay there's bad in everything like im sure some bus drivers are bad the point is uber doesnt care u report it to them they wash there hands that they arent involved and its dow to self to sort it.

Im sure if u reported that black cab driver they would have dealt with the matter for better than uber ever would

 

[Symphonia]

She reported a sexual assault to the police and they did nothing?

They investigated it, contacted Uber, interviewed the driver...then nothing. It just went dead. I believe she’s in contact with the police to chase it up.

 

[Wrestlemania]

I'm saying the fixed price to the same destination can go over. It isn't a guarantee.

Well I'd suggest that's probably an exception, and also doesn't really change my point which is that alternative services do not appear to have any significant price different to Uber and may in fact be cheaper in some cases.

 

[ty_hot]

Great, hope more cities follow this.

 

[Shadowhelper]

Personally, I really hope they can fix the issues TFL has with them before the repeal period is up. I mean, the convenience and price of Uber is just fucking absurdly ridiculous compared to any other option out there.

Uber feels safer and far nicer than black cabs. Black cabbies are fucking annoying. In my experience they are horrible people, and minicab drivers aren't much better. The anxiety of not having to give an address to black cabbie is fantastic. Uber drivers usually seem happy and nice, although I ascribe that to them seeming new to the job. Black cabbies and minidrivers seems like jaded homocide cops.

For the consumer Uber is just incredible, although, night tube has started and crossrail is about to go into effect, so travelling around London is still getting better, but with Uber getting around is fantastic.

But, I can't deny maybe a company that culturally refuses to see their workers as employees, one that can be as unethical and immoral as Uber, above and beyond norms, perhaps doesn't deserve to operate. Still, it will be much tougher with out Uber in London.

 

[Kareha]

Such as?

Sketchy af buses filled with night walking chavs?

Did they remove all the black cabs and the tubes, they were all there when I was in London last year?

 

[Wrestlemania]

They investigated it, contacted Uber, interviewed the driver...then nothing. It just went dead. I believe she’s in contact with the police to chase it up.

A friend had a similar story where she left a phone in an Uber, then we he drove back to give it to her he wanted a ridiculous amount of money for it and threatened to post all of her photos on the phone online. Uber claimed they suspended him for a couple of days, gave him a telling off and then gave her a minuscule amount of credit. Nothing else.
Great work!

 

[Izuna]

Did they remove all the black cabs and the tubes, they were all there when I was in London last year?

After hours black cabs are super expensive and night time weren't a thing until after I left, so I don't know what it's like.

 

[Camoxide]

I’m not sure what the fuss is about Uber.
We don’t have uber here but have several local private hire taxis firms.
One has an app where you can order a taxi by clicking where you are on the map and it turns up within 10 minutes usually, lets you track the car as well.

 

[Cpt Lmao]

Personally, I really hope they can fix the issues TFL has with them before the repeal period is up. I mean, the convenience and price of Uber is just fucking absurdly ridiculous compared to any other option out there.

Uber feels safer and far nicer than black cabs. Black cabbies are fucking annoying. In my experience they are horrible people, and minicab drivers aren't much better. The anxiety of not having to give an address to black cabbie is fantastic. Uber drivers usually seem happy and nice, although I ascribe that to them seeming new to the job. Black cabbies and minidrivers seems like jaded homocide cops.

For the consumer Uber is just incredible, although, night tube has started and crossrail is about to go into effect, so travelling around London is still getting better, but with Uber getting around is fantastic.

But, I can't deny maybe a company that culturally refuses to see their workers as employees, one that can be as unethical and immoral as Uber, above and beyond norms, perhaps doesn't deserve to operate. Still, it will be much tougher with out Uber in London.

Yep, I've got to admit this thread has been an eye opener. I was expecting near-unanimous support for Uber considering Black Cabs have such a bad reputation here. Uber may well be a different experience in London to elsewhere.

 

[Koriandrr]

I just checked how much an AL would cost to get me home from work if I booked it now. £23 for AL, £23-30 for Uber. AL price stays the same if I did the same journey at 3am.
Citation needed on all these "Non-Uber cabs are so much more expensive" claims.

I stand corrected then.


In that case - how long does it take for your AL to arrive?

 

[Ether_Snake]

So stupid. You can drive people around for free, but it's illegal for someone to pay you for it.

Enjoy paying jobless benefits instead dummies.

 

[autumnleaf]

I've lived in London 6 years and never once got an Uber. The Tube is amazing and now there is a Night Tube at the weekend there's no need. A tube and a bus will basically get you anywhere in London, and I've managed to avoid being killed on any night buses so far.

 

[Kuros]

Do you want to be a taxi driver?

Do you know any taxi drivers?

Why is it that taxi drivers are generally not well educated, and often don't even speak English as their first language? (Hint: It's because it's not a very desirable job. Taxi companies generally do not treat their employees well.)

And this is not to denigrate taxi drivers. It's a fine way to earn a living. But most of them would probably prefer to be doing something else if they could.

This is about as ignorant as it gets for London. Especially for black cab drivers. Have you any idea how long it takes to get a badge? It's longer then most people spend at University. The knowledge is incredible skill to have.

 

[sasliquid]

So stupid. You can drive people around for free, but it's illegal for someone to pay you for it.

Enjoy paying jobless benefits instead dummies.

... I'm not sure where to begin on this.

 

[Par Score]

Glad to see Uber's corporate strategy of "Fuck the rules, fuck our drivers, and fuck the passenger's safety" has finally bitten them in the ass.

Props to TfL for not caving in as so many others have, and as always a big thank-you to the Unions who have led this fight against exploitation.

 

[Tacitus_]

Glad to see Uber's corporate strategy of "Fuck the rules, fuck our drivers, and fuck the passenger's safety" has finally bitten them in the ass.

So what happens if they keep on doing that and ignore this ruling?

 

[ClosingADoor]

So stupid. You can drive people around for free, but it's illegal for someone to pay you for it.

Enjoy paying jobless benefits instead dummies.

I can do a lot of things for free, but if I want to make money with it, I need a license. That is perfectly normal.

So what happens if they keep on doing that and ignore this ruling?

Company gets fined by the city.

 

[Beefy]

Fuck Uber. My ex was sexually assaulted by a Uber driver.

 

[Ravensmash]

Black cabs are held to a far higher standard & cost-of-work than Uber or mini-cab & limo firms.

At least 2 years doing The Knowledge for starters.



Twat.

I watched a show about that on Channel 4.

Shit is intense...

Basically, here's point and point b. Direct me there verbally with the street names and everything.

 

[Kuros]

So what happens if they keep on doing that and ignore this ruling?

If they lose the appeal and they continue to operate the TFL will get an injunction. The CEOs will then be held in contempt and arrested most likely.

 

[Irminsul]

So stupid. You can drive people around for free, but it's illegal for someone to pay you for it.

Enjoy paying jobless benefits instead dummies.

So stupid. I can cook for my friends for free, but I suddenly need a restaurant licence and stuff if I want to be paid for it.

No shit.

 

[outunderthestars]

No they don't unless things like Uber gets its shit into gear.

In my country taxi drivers have to be properly qualified, they receive things such as first aid training, they have to undergo medical examinations (mental and physical), etc before they are even allowed to take the training as a taxi driver. Plus taxi operators require a "Betriebsarzt" which is person(s) with medical qualifications involved in the operating of the business concerning overseeing and advising the security and health of drivers and customers.

Uber doesn't do any of this which is why they are not allowed to operate at all in Germany. Uber purposefully fails to fucking report crimes of their drivers alone.

Lets not even get into workers' rights concerning Uber and taxi operators and the regulations by the government they must abide by. Uber does what it does because it's a shit company that evades responsibility.

That seems like an obscene amount of regulations that do little but increase the cost of a ride. I just want someone to drive me somewhere....

 

[butzopower]

Gonna be hard to get back from Brixton at 2am after a gig. Was pretty nice taking an Uber Pool back, even if it took like 50 minutes.

I predict a headline of someone getting acid attacked, and if Uber was still around they'd have been home safe instead.