Taxi Driver Online

Taxi group delivers 23-page legal submission detailing why Uber’s licence shouldn’t be renewed in London next month

Taxi-Point article

A taxi driver action group have delivered a Legal Submission to London’s transport regulators detailing the reasons why Uber’s operator’s licence should not be renewed.

On Tuesday, the United Trade Action Group (UTAG) sent the capital’s regulators, Transport for London (TfL), a 23 page Legal Submission prepared by their QC and Barrister.

Over the 119 sections of the submission UTAG say they set out the clear reasons why TfL must not renew Uber’s licence next month.

A further letter to TfL was said to have been sent yesterday, stating UTAG’s intention to Judicially Review any decision to renew.

This action comes as TfL refused to grant Uber London Limited’s (ULL) application to renew its five-year London Private Hire Vehicle Operator’s Licence back in September 2017.

A letter sent by Helen Chapman, TfL’s Head of Licensing, outlined TfL’s reasons for taking this decision, which concluded “Transport for London (TfL) is not satisfied that ULL is a fit and proper person to hold a licence.”

In June 2018, Westminster Magistrates Court overturned TfL’s decision and granted ULL a 15-month probationary licence. The firm argued that it had put a series of measures in place to improve its operation since TfL’s decision was made.

However, concerns have been raised in that period by industry officials and politicians.

Earlier this month it was revealed that Westminster Magistrates Court fined Uber for contravening the terms of its licence. The courts fined the minicab firm £28,800 for allowing drivers to pick up passengers in London without the required hire and reward insurance.

Wes Streeting MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Taxis and Labour MP for Ilford North, said: “This is just the latest example of Uber flouting the rules of the road that everyone else is expected to abide by.

“Once again Uber’s status as a “fit and proper operator” is called into serious question. The Mayor and TfL must act.”

UTAG, made up of drivers and stakeholders from across the industry, have since announced their decision to take action.

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IDFIMH

For any of us that wish to read that submission, and a short 2nd letter, I was sent the them via these links.

Letter 1. Legal Submission to TfL from Robert Griffiths QC and Stuart Jessop, Barrister

Letter 2. Supplementary letter to TfL

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IDFIMH

If anyone has a few hours to spare Letter 1 is an interesting read.

Reminds me of a University Student's Dissertation, along the lines of 'Why Uber isn't fit and proper'.

Quite sure large chunks of the letter has been ghost written by at least one well known anti Uber economist.

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IDFIMH

If you have read it how about a basic summary of the points made ?

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Basically a repeat of the reasons why Uber (it's owners) are not fit and proper.

That includes the way they have behaved over the past, and the fact that they haven't (or appeared not to have) changed since they got their 15 month license.

A big thing is made about the alleged ethos behind Uber, i.e. kill off the existing trade with subsidised fares and the non payment of tax.

Also, and this is what I mentioned above, are quite detailed comments re why Uber will never make a profit and the long history behind that.

I think I could name the economist behind it, but I wont as I quite like him.

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IDFIMH