TfL vs Uber war: Will these eight proposals change the way Londoners hail cabs?

Uber issues fare rise warning

Transport for London (TfL) is planning a crackdown on private hire vehicles which is set to hit taxi-hailing apps like Uber.

Under new rules, cabs will have to wait for a minimum of five minutes for picking up a passenger (more on them below).

Garrett Emmerson, chief operating officer for surface transport at TfL, said: “We are launching a public consultation in order to inform and improve the regulations that govern the capital’s private hire trade.

“In recent years the private hire industry has grown exponentially and technology has also developed rapidly.

“The consultation sets out a number of ways that standards across the industry could be raised, ensuring Londoners can continue to benefit from the service provided by licensed private hire vehicles. No final decisions have been made and we’re keen to hear a range of views from the trade and from Londoners, too.”

Uber wasn’t happy with TfL’s proposals.

Jo Bertram, Uber’s UK head, said: “These bureaucratic new rules will not improve your ride,” said.

In another statement, Uber said: “These pointless new rules will do nothing to improve the service Uber and other apps provide. They’re designed to address the concerns of black cab drivers, who are feeling squeezed due to competition. But the answer is to reduce onerous regulations, not increase them.” 

 

Here are TfL’s eight new proposals:

1. Cabs will have to wait for a minimum of five minutes to pick up a passenger

2. Requirement to specify a fare at the time of booking

3. Banning apps from showing the position of cars immediately for hire nearby

4. Giving all customers the facility to book fares up to seven days in advance

5. Sharing rides with other passengers and changing destinations banned

6. Drivers having to pass English language tests

7. A fixed phone line to be put in place for customers to complain or report a problem

8. Drivers to use facial or fingerprint recognition to log into an app

 

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