Black-Cab Drivers To Bring London To A Standstill In Protest Against TfL Inaction Over Uber

Thousands of taxis will take part in the demonstration in the capital next month.

Black-cab drivers in London are planning to bring the capital to a complete standstill in early June in a protest against what they perceive as a lack of action by Transport for London against car service Uber.

Dan Kitwood / Getty

The California-based taxi firm is powered by smartphones and has had a number of run-ins with different taxi trades as it has expanded to more than 100 cities in 30 countries.

The privately owned firm, which counts Google among its investors, started operating in London at the end of 2012 and recently began running cars in Manchester.

The service works by customers ordering a private cab using a smartphone app and being provided with real-time data on its progress and information about the driver.

Lucy Nicholson / Reuters

The Uber drivers also use an app to calculate fees, based on distance travelled and time taken, while taking into account whether "surge pricing" is running due to heavy demand.

The firm then takes a cut of the fee – usually around 20%.

The Licensed Taxi Drivers Association is now planning a protest against how the American firm is operating, citing the fact it is illegal under the Private Hire Vehicles Act for private vehicles to be fitted with meters.

Transport for London has rejected the claim by saying the Uber cars are not “equipped” with meters as there is no connection between the devices and the vehicles.

The Associated Press

Speaking to BuzzFeed, LTDA's general secretary Steve McNamara accused TfL of being “as useful as a chocolate teapot” during the dispute.

He said he was flabbergasted at the inaction against the American firm and how it operates.

McNamara protested that the personal digital assistants (PDAs) used by the Uber drivers were clearly being operated like taxi meters.

He also said the association was unhappy at the way Uber allowed drivers to take the bookings rather than a central office, like other private hire firms such as Addison Lee.

Dan Kitwood / Getty

McNamara said as the drivers were taking the bookings, they needed an operator’s licence and without one they were effectively operating without insurance.

Details of the protest against TfL’s perceived inaction against Uber are due to be announced tomorrow, but the LTDA general secretary said he was expecting between 8,000 and 10,000 taxis to take part.

The vehicles will descend on central London and bring the capital to a halt.

TfL told BuzzFeed: "We have seen no evidence to suggest that Uber London Ltd are not fit and proper to hold an London PHV operator's licence but no final decisions have been made whilst Uber's operating model is still under investigation."

BuzzFeed is awaiting a statement from Uber on the protest.

May. 10, 2014, at 08:45 AM

An Uber spokeswoman told BuzzFeed: "Uber is pro rider and pro driver - we are all about keeping London moving bringing more choice for more people with our innovative app at great prices."