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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be furious they have banned Uber from London?

608 replies

Acidophilus · 22/09/2017 12:20

WTF?

Uber has itsbissues but this is ridiculous.

TFL have bowed to Black cab pressure and we will all pay massively for it. Or get mini cabs that are less safe and treat heir drivers worse.

OP posts:
Original poster
Acidophilus · 22/09/2017 12:42

Even with the app you can't really on finding a Black Cab when you need one. It's not safe as a woman out at night to rely on finding a Black cab even if you can afford one, so you get forced into calling a mini cab. I feel less safe in a mini cab than an Uber. Mini cabs really aren't held to the same standard.

OP posts:
Leilaniii · 22/09/2017 12:42

This reply has been deleted

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TheSnorkMaidenReturns · 22/09/2017 12:42

Uber are regulated in the same way as every minicab. If it's not good enough, change the regulation.

Those of us who live outside big cities don't have the option to hire black cabs on the street. In my small town I have to make a phone call to call my minicab but I've been to plenty of cities where there is an app for calling a minicab.

Why are Uber singled out as the problem? I can only assume it's because they are too successful.

I don't like the way Uber runs its business. But I also find London black cabs outrageously expensive. It's a complete rip off. I've been put in danger by a black cab who blamed me for not knowing where I was going when I asked to go to a place I'd never been before. They are not saints.

squoosh · 22/09/2017 12:43

Bit early to be drinking Leilanniii.

Ceto · 22/09/2017 12:47

TfL better have very good evidence of their claims and of fair application of their standards, if they don't the court appeal will be embarrassing for them.

Judging by the police reports, proving their claims really won't be a problem for TfL.

And the fact that mini cab firms may also be breaking the law really isn't a valid reason for allowing Uber to continue doing so. Why do you object to TfL doing their job? You do realise that the main reason Uber is able to keep prices down is that they flout safety requirements, don't you?

Leilaniii · 22/09/2017 12:48

Bit early to be drinking Leilanniii.

That's a bit rude @squoosh. What did you mean by that?

Bourdic · 22/09/2017 12:48

I very regularly use the Black Cab app. It's brilliant - they send you the reg number, photo and name of the driver. You track its journey and get a message when it's just arriving so can stay in a safe and/or dry place until then. I've set it up with my credit card details so no problems about paying.

balsamicbarbara · 22/09/2017 12:48

There was a cab company called Uber
Who weren't treating their drivers too super
Passengers were attacked
In vehicles being tracked
So instead you should now take the Tube-r

NoLoveofMine · 22/09/2017 12:49

Use Abbey Cars. 15% of their drivers are women (still woefully low but far better than most firms). There's apparently also a minicab service which only provides women drivers but I've not registered to try it yet.

MamaOfTwos · 22/09/2017 12:49

YABU.

Black cabs work hard and are internationally respected for the knowledge. Uber is a fucking horrible company and encourage everyone to jump into a car with a stranger who could well be a predator. Also had years of using black cabs and have NEVER had an issue. Use the tube if you can't afford a cabGrin

squoosh · 22/09/2017 12:49

Oh God, the poems have started.

squoosh · 22/09/2017 12:50

Use the tube if you can't afford a cabgrin

Why are you grinning at people not being able to afford a black cab? Hmm

Ptennisnet · 22/09/2017 12:50

I don't see why people think mini cabs are more danger than Uber. Plenty of assaults by Uber drivers have been reported.

A few years ago, before Uber, there was a publicity campaign telling us to always book mini cabs with the mini cab offices. As far as I could see, most of the problems were due to people picking up lifts in the street from unlicensed drivers claiming to be mini cabs. Not saying it never happens with licenced ones that are properly booked, but I don't see why they're any more dangerous than Uber.

BorisTrumpsHair · 22/09/2017 12:50

I would like to encourage anyone unfortunate enough to be sexually assaulted in a taxi of any kind, to report the assault directly to the police themselves and don't rely on a company to pass anything onto the Police at all.

Clearly Uber (and probably others) don't consider it in their best interests to publicly deal with sexual assaults by their drivers.

sundayfeeling · 22/09/2017 12:51

Why are you furious? Because they are such a lovely, ethical company?

BorisTrumpsHair · 22/09/2017 12:52

Black cab drivers can be rapists too - and the driver can lock doors that passengers can't open :(

www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/oct/26/black-cab-rapist-victims

danTDM · 22/09/2017 12:52

I got into a black cab once at Earls Court to Fulham 3/4 way I realised I would have to get out in a minute as I had run out of money for the fare.

Said to drive I have to get out at next lights, he asked why, refused and took me all the way to Fulham at no extra cost. (Only 5 mins but SO kind)

I watched a programme on 'the knowledge' recently. Anyone that is capable of doing that, with that much dedication, I feel safe with.

BorisTrumpsHair · 22/09/2017 12:53

another black cab driver rapist - metro.co.uk/2015/02/03/london-black-cab-driver-tried-to-rape-sleeping-passenger-5047723/

Bisquick · 22/09/2017 12:53

I wouldn't say "furious" but mightily inconvenienced yes.

I don't drive. I live in Zone 4. If I need to get somewhere in the middle of the night it's nigh impossible to find a black cab that'll take you. Uber solved that problem much more conveniently than private minican operators did. But because they're so big and easy to use people are now shining a spotlight on what had previously been a poorly-regulated sector.

If it forces uber to shape up and treat its drivers better and take responsibility for its drivers then great! Already the advent of uber has meant black cabs are so much more user friendly with apps and mobile and card payments and being willing to pick you up at your home late at night etc!

And sure I'd love the purring of a black cab too if I could a) find one and b) afford it!

Bourdic · 22/09/2017 12:54

But the overall record of BC drivers is much much better

Leilaniii · 22/09/2017 12:54

Sexual assaults by black cab drivers are thankfully very rare indeed.

MildredMonday · 22/09/2017 12:55

They have broken tfl rules and guidelines time and time again and have shown no interest in trying to follow them, so of course their license should not be renewed.
It doesn't matter how much money you've got, the rules have to be followed by all.

On a side not there are a lot of awful mini cab firms in London that really need shutting down too.

Nuttynoo · 22/09/2017 12:56

London should never have brought in Uber in the first place, it made being a black cab driver pointless. Here they are regulating their drivers, improving standards, and Uber (most of the time) don't even check their drivers properly. I bet there were links to the flash bob at Parson's Green and to various rapes in and around the city -wouldn't surprise me if

Bisquick · 22/09/2017 12:56

Use the tube if you can't afford a cab

Tube doesn't run 24/7 btw.

BabychamSocialist · 22/09/2017 12:57

Uber should shape up if they want to operate in London. Say what you want about the Black cab drivers, but they are licenced, checked and they know their stuff. Not just anyone can go out and do it.

Also, minicab drivers aren't worse than Uber drivers! They have to be checked as well to get an operating licence. Not sure what world you're living in.

I completely agree with the Met's concerns.