Calchas

No doubt, but Transport for London's London Taxi and Private Hire committee can only address a small number of issues.

Skatering

Can only speak from my own experience, but I've found the quality and professionalism of Uber drivers far outweighs that of taxis.

Flame3601

Dreadful news for Uber and riders , being me included. No way will i go back to paying expensive fares to some arrogant/rude black cabbie driver .

gbs1112

This is, to say the least, an odd statement. I don't support the political party the mayor belongs to but he seems even handed. His statement today supported Transport for London's decision but it seemed reluctantly given and I felt it left the door open for Uber to clean up it's act and retain or renew its licence.

Ber2dca

I always found it surprising that Uber managed to break into the market in the UK given that it seems virtually impossible to overcome the cabdriver lobby in man other European countries. To the point where in a number of other places where you have Uber..it's just a way of calling a cab.

Ldnn1

I think in most other European countries cabs were already much less expensive than London black cabs. It's price more than anything that has made Uber such a transformative player in London.

Surface Interval

The unexpected upside for some: http://www.suffolkgazette.com/busine...ta-prius-uber/

richonlybyname

Unfortunately I don't believe Lyft operate in London. I would certainly welcome them here, however.

C W

Very unfortunate protectionist decision. It's unbelievable that TfL could be so myopic as to think that restricting consumer choice and forcing people who can't afford it to use wildly expensive black cabs is good for overall welfare, or for the welfare of any group outside of the black cab industry.

cruisr

The tweets from some people regarding the Uber ban are positively hilarious.

I rarely take cabs in London anymore, preferring to walk or use the tube/bus, but Uber always wins out over taxis wherever I am.

I got mad when the Black cabs started to become mobile billboards with hideous color paint jobs. Competition is good so I do hope Uber can stay.

Aus_Mal

What? Mini Cabs have been in London for years! Why is Uber special?

Some of the comments here might enlighten you...
http://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/c...ail/story.html

Daner

It is my experience that in cities where cab companies offer competitive services including apps with automatic credit card charging and user-friendly features, Uber has had a considerably harder time establishing meaningful market share. When in Scandinavia, I check Uber when taking spontaneous trips to see what the projected wait times and prices are likely to be as compared to a normal cab, but for planned trips I always book ahead with a standard cab company.

I do not find the same to be true in London, where I've found Uber to be generally more useful and user friendly than cabs. I am not by any means price-insensitive, but price is neither my primary nor my secondary reason for choosing Uber when I need to venture beyond collective transport options in London. I've yet to have a negative experience with Uber there (or anywhere else, for that matter.)

WorldLux

A bit exaggerating, no? IME you can get around most of London with public transport. It's in the early hours where getting around may be more difficult.

While the decision certainly could be qualified as protectionist, bear in mind that Uber is setting foot all over the globe and gaining market shares quickly. AFAIK we're currently in the process of swapping local taxi mafias for one global transport mafia. It seems only fair that Uber plays by local rules. If they do, then I'll be sure that the appeal will be successful. If not, then the decision was probably well deserved and it's up to Uber to change.

Uber's certainly not going to abandon such a huge market without a fight.

WillTravel

No one's arguing that it's impossible to get around London by public transport. It's just quicker and easier to take Uber in many, many cases, and often hardly more expensive. Public transport can be exhausting. If you are young and fit enough not to notice this, all the better, but it makes a huge difference to quality of life for some people.

Enigma368

In fairness I am all for Uber and I do not agree with this decision but it will not force anyone who can't afford it to regularly use black cabs. People in London who can't afford taxis take busses. Even in the dead of night, the London 24 hour night bus network is safe, affordable, extensive and frequent. The nightbus network in London ar 3am beats the LA regular bus service during the day(not saying much I know).

I agree that black cabs are way overpriced.