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8,000 black cab drivers bring central London to a standstill in protest against the 'unfair competition' from taxi app Uber- Thousands of London taxi drivers have parked their cars in Whitehall to bring traffic to a halt
- Cabbies are brandishing flags and signs criticising Mayor Boris Johnson and Transport for London
- United Cabbies Group, Unite and RMT are all involved with the demonstration while the police are also at the scene
- But Uber say their competition can help 'improve taxi services and lead to better passenger experience'
Eight thousand black cab drivers have brought central London to a standstill today in protest against the 'unfair competition' from mobile taxi app Uber.
The drivers are demonstrating against what they consider is the light touch regulation of the industry harming cabbies and promoting private hire firms - with the blockade stretching a mile either side of Whitehall.
But Uber bosses said the competition it provides could lead to 'service improvements and better experiences for passengers'.
Unions say the protest is demanding tougher action against private hire firms like Uber when it comes to following regulations.
Len Martin, chair of United Cabbies Group, told City AM: 'The choice is simple. If London wants its highly regulated, safe and on demand gold standard taxis, there needs to be a clear understanding that we aren't supported by the taxpayer or charities.
'Government must not allow private hire operators to ignore the legislation. The taxi trade cannot survive with unfair competition.'
Unite, which represents many of the capital's 25,000 black cab drivers, is taking part in the demonstration.
Jim Kelly, a representative of the union, said: 'It is clear that the Government, London mayor Boris Johnson and the Tory candidate for mayor Zac Goldsmith have all seriously taken against the black taxi trade in London, a taxi trade which consistently comes out top in terms of value and service compared to other cities around the globe.
'We feel that Uber exploits its drivers by using their self-employed status to extract maximum income from them which translates to those drivers working long hours.
Steve Wilson, a cabbie for the past 22 years, said all they want is a 'fair playing field'.
'We are not saying do away with Uber, we just want them to have the same regulations that we have,' added the 47-year-old.
'We also want Uber to pay tax here.'
Mark Rowley, 57, said: 'The Government are doing nothing - at the end of the day they have left us to it.
'We have got to help ourselves out, and the only way we can do that is by blocking the streets.'
A driver for 29 years he said there are 600 new licence applications for Uber each week, with just 10 people passing the knowledge test in that same timeframe.
Brian Garvey, vice chair of the United Cabbie Group, called the turn out 'fantastic'.
He added: 'We are professionals, we know the streets of London better than the police and ambulance.
'We are predominately parents and older, more mature, so for us to be upset is a serious thing. All this is about protecting our profession.
'We know how to block the streets because we know London and can be strategic in what we do.'
For the first time five different groups representing the city's 25,000 drivers joined together to demonstrate.
Drivers from France and Belgium also attended to show their support for London's drivers.
'The reduction in safety for passengers because of the light touch regime is to be deplored.'
But Tom Elvidge, General Manager of Uber in London, said: 'This protest was sparked when Transport for London dropped plans for bureaucratic new rules on licensed private hire drivers, such as five minute minimum waiting times. But Londoners made clear they didn't want to be slowed down with more than 200,000 opposing those proposals.
'We believe black cabs and services like Uber can coexist in the capital. That's why earlier this week we announced that black cab drivers can use our app to get extra custom with zero service fee paid to Uber for a year. By making the most of new technology we can all improve services for passengers and keep London moving.'
London cabbies have also rejected an offer from Uber allowing them to use its app to pick up passengers without paying commission.
Uber announced that cabbies will not have to pay a fee for the first year of using their service, with a message that 'black cabs and Uber can co-exist'.
But the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA) said it would be 'amazed' if any drivers take up the offer.
The Uber app allows users to select and pay for a black cab in the same way as a regular Uber car.
Ms Bertram added: 'Common sense regulations combined with new technology can help ensure that black cabs and apps like Uber live side by side.
'It's the best of both worlds. Londoners - and tourists - would be free to choose whether they want to hail a car on the street or push a button and get a ride for generations to come.'
She said the offer was a chance for taxi drivers to pick up a fare when there are 'no passengers on the street or they're waiting in a long queue at a rank'.
Ms Bertram added that the Knowledge - a course which black cab drivers have to pass before being allowed to operate - could be made 'just as effective' if it took advantage of GPS and live traffic apps.
But Steve McNamara, LTDA general secretary, commented: 'With over 15,000 cabbies registered with specific taxi-hailing apps like Gett and Hailo, we would be amazed if any drivers decide to take up Uber's offer.
'Licensed taxis in London offer the best service in the world and as a membership group the LTDA doesn't like the way Uber treats its drivers and customers.
We haven't been consulted on this at all. The response is 'thanks, but no thanks'.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z3znWU6alK
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