Taxi drivers demonstrate against Uber
A total of 8,000 black cab drivers staged a protest in London today, which saw many roads in the city grind to a halt.
The demonstration was part of an ongoing dispute about taxi app Uber, which black cab drivers claim is not subjected to the same tough rules as they are.
Taxi, anyone? pic.twitter.com/ScNYznoy1h
— Peter Heaton-JonesMP (@PeterNorthDevon) February 10, 2016
Len Martin, chair of United Cabbies Group, wrote in City AM: “The choice is simple. If London wants its highly regulated, safe and on demand gold standard taxis, there needs to be a clear understanding that we aren’t supported by the taxpayer or charities.
“Government must not allow private hire operators to ignore the legislation. The taxi trade cannot survive with unfair competition.”
1 hour on #gridlock solid in Whitehall & the Strand | Taxi drivers protest in London – https://t.co/JNKduwPIvMpic.twitter.com/fvvD21MDB2
— Unite the union (@unitetheunion) February 10, 2016
From our editor Shruti Tripathi Chopra who was on the scene:
Buckingham Gate in gridlock thanks to #blackcabprotestpic.twitter.com/L4GFSgvSAN
— Shruti Tripathi (@shrutitripathi6) February 10, 2016
Chairman of RMT union Mick Bailey told LBC: “I hope that drivers that weren’t intending to come will get behind it and come down and show their support for their job.
“Because if they don’t, we’re on the rocky road to nowhere. It’s your livelihood. It’s your job.
“Plying for hire is the thing that’s got to be dealt with. We’ve got to get it in the House of Commons and we’ve got to prevent this government from dismantling the Licensed Taxi Trade in London.”
Uber said yesterday that cabbies would be allowed to use its app without paying commission for 12 months, but this was rejected.
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