A row between drive-sharing app firm Uber and London black-cab drivers over the use of taximeters has been referred to the High Court.
The Uber app calculates the journey distance and fee and relays this information to the driver. The Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA) says this acts as a taximeter, which private vehicles are not allowed to use.
The LTDA has threatened to cause “severe chaos, congestion and confusion across the metropolis”, and has planned a protest in central London on June 11.
Uber was first launched in 2009 as an app to allow users to order private cabs and find ride-shares. It now operates in more than 100 cities around the world, including London and Manchester.
Legal battle
Transport for London (TFL), which regulates and licenses the taxi and private hire trades, has invited the High Court to rule on the issue. It said the “rapid pace” at which smart phone technology has developed means there needs to be legal clarity on the matter.
“We welcome developments that make life easier for passengers,” said Leon Daniels, TFL’s managing director of surface transport.
“As in many other areas of transport and retail services, apps can offer passengers the potential of better and more convenient services, but we must ensure that the highest standards of safety are being met.
“We will be asking the High Court to provide a binding ruling. This is the sensible approach, and we hope that London's taxi drivers and private hire drivers and operators will work with us to bring clarity on this issue,” he added.
Uber’s general manager Jo Bertram said London cab drivers are “iconic” but believes there is room for increased competition in the market.
“Uber has been fully licensed as a Private Hire Operator since our launch in London nearly two years ago, and we meet all the required private hire regulations.
“We are bringing competition to an industry that hasn't evolved in years."
Responding to Uber’s claims that the sector could benefit from new companies being able to enter the market, LTDA’s general secretary said TFL not enforcing the Private Hire Vehicles Act is “dangerous for Londoners”, referring to Uber as "an American monster that has no qualms about breaching any and all lays in the pursuit of profit”.
He added: "I anticipate that the demonstration against TFL's handling of Uber will attract many thousands of cabs and cause severe chaos, congestion and confusion across the metropolis."
Vandalism
The offices of the creators of taxi hire app Hailo were last night (May 29) vandalised, after the company opened up its smartphone booking service to private hire vehicles.
The word ‘scabs’ was written on the walls of the firm’s offices, which was set up by three former London cab drivers.