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London's Uber Ban Is a Big Brexit Mistake

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Re: London's Uber Ban Is a Big Brexit Mistake

#21
post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This isn't sensible regulation. This is an outright ban, which is a whole different ball of wax. Is an outright ban "anti-innovation"? You can't do sensible regulation once you've banned entrants in favour of the taxis.

It's not a ban on ride-sharing. It's a ban on a single specific company: Uber. And the ban is because Uber was routinely violating sensible regulations.

What other ride-sharing company operates in London? Addison lee, kabbee and the multiple private cab companies can't offer the same service as uber when you need a ride on the moment. They are fine when you can book in advance, otherwise be prepared to wait half an hour or more.

Re: London's Uber Ban Is a Big Brexit Mistake

#23
post #16

Of course, Uber needed to be reigned in, but what matters is the symbol here. Black cabs are fairly expensive and mostly driven by white people (which is not the case for private hire vehicles: http://content.tfl.gov.uk/taxi-and-phv-demographic-stats.pdf ) People won't help feeling that this is a "Let's keep our good old ways and our white boys happy" move. The article is right in saying that this general cultural sh…

Why does 'the symbol' matter more than Uber's continual disregard for law and regulation around the world?

Re: London's Uber Ban Is a Big Brexit Mistake

#24

This same argument was made when Austin required fingerprinting for drivers and Uber and Lyft left. What happened? Their was a flourishing of new ride share companies, including a local nonprofit, RideAustin. Yes, at first, these apps were nowhere near the level of Uber/Lyft, but they quickly improved, especially RideAustin. The prices were slightly higher, but it seemed those prices reflected the actual cost of the…

You forgot the end of that story. They let Uber and Lyft back in[1] and the apps that had sprouted up instantly got crushed[2].

[1] https://www.curbed.com/2017/6/14/15803138/austin-uber-lyft-t...

[2] https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2017/06/06/uber-lyft...

Re: London's Uber Ban Is a Big Brexit Mistake

#25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not a ban on ride-sharing. It's a ban on a single specific company: Uber. And the ban is because Uber was routinely violating sensible regulations.

What other ride-sharing company operates in London? Addison lee, kabbee and the multiple private cab companies can't offer the same service as uber when you need a ride on the moment. They are fine when you can book in advance, otherwise be prepared to wait half an hour or more.

[deleted]

Re: London's Uber Ban Is a Big Brexit Mistake

#26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is written by a good well known exonomist, so i doubt it inthis case

Exonomists can be purchased.

so can you therefor your opinion is invalid... Examine what is said on its own merit not according to who said it or why.

Re: London's Uber Ban Is a Big Brexit Mistake

#28
post #23
post #16

Of course, Uber needed to be reigned in, but what matters is the symbol here. Black cabs are fairly expensive and mostly driven by white people (which is not the case for private hire vehicles: http://content.tfl.gov.uk/taxi-and-phv-demographic-stats.pdf ) People won't help feeling that this is a "Let's keep our good old ways and our white boys happy" move. The article is right in saying that this general cultural sh…

Why does 'the symbol' matter more than Uber's continual disregard for law and regulation around the world?

I am not saying they shouldn't have banned Uber, I'm saying the article has a point when they say that such moves have an impact on the cultural environment, and that it can be detrimental to the overall startup ecosystem in the UK.

Re: London's Uber Ban Is a Big Brexit Mistake

#29
post #4

I find it interesting that the article fails to mention the reason behind the bans. Perhaps they expect us to already know that it's due to problems with driver background checks. (correct me if I'm wrong) Then again, if the argument is that in a pure libertarian system consumers would drive out bad actors like this, I'm not sure that this line of thinking would hold. The convenience of a cheap ride would seem to be…

Due to driver checks and also having software which actively tried to hide Ubers activities from regulators.

There is no proof of that being used in London. Also all the drivers in London are certified drivers.

Re: London's Uber Ban Is a Big Brexit Mistake

#30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Due to driver checks and also having software which actively tried to hide Ubers activities from regulators.

There is no proof of that being used in London. Also all the drivers in London are certified drivers.

It was given as a reason in the press release so there is obviously suspicion of it at least.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/new...

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