Taxi Driver Online

Don't know what to make of this. The rating system is one reason I wouldn't want to work for Uber. On the other hand, the complaints kind of don't sound made up, and they were also considered by TfL, so obviously people took the effort to complain to the licensing authority rather than just clicking a button on the app.

I suspect the reality is somewhere inbetween the driver saying the complaints are totally faked, and the actual complaints made to Uber and TfL.

And not sure why he's moaning so much, since he's still working for Bolt, and presumably could get work with another PH operator? Obviously his position isn't as he'd like it, but the article makes it sound almost like he's on the dole.

And if the photo is recent, he's presumably dumped the Ford...

Headline also a bit misleading - makes it sound like it's a four year suspension by Uber, but looks like it means he was suspended by Uber four years ago, and presumably a de facto life ban


Hounslow Uber driver suspended for 4 years over 'dangerous driving' after 'fake' customer review'

https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-lon ... 4-25649732

He claims the reviews were made up by heartless passengers trying to get a refund


Image: My London

An Uber driver from Hounslow has lashed out at 'fake' customer reviews which he claims lost him his job. Private hire driver Bashir Khpalwak was dismissed from the company on April 18, 2018 after six safety complaints were made by customers dating from early 2017. They included running a red light, talking on the phone, driving erratically, speeding, asking for cash, and braking sharply.

But Bashir hit back at the allegations and insists they were all faked by passengers looking to get a refund. One customer claimed: "Mr Kphalwak ran a red light while talking on the phone throughout the trip, and then pulled over and ended the trip as he no longer wanted to take them to their destination." Bashir has never seen any evidence against him.

Other complaints claimed he "sped up when going over speed bumps" and asked for £10 in cash "because it was Christmas". Transport for London investigated the allegations but decided not to suspend Bashir's private hire license having "considered all the available information". Bashir also boasts a clean driving license without a single point in ten years of cab work.

Bashir told MyLondon: "Uber disrespects their drivers. If I had the power I would stop Uber working in the UK, they can go back to America. People make complaints to get compensation and to get money back. I would say to customers: "Please behave, I have a family, please do not lie about someone when you could affect their future."

The ban was more grating as Bashir had just invested £7,000 in a 2012 plate Ford Galaxy people carrier to improve his earnings. "It looks to me like I just put £7,000 in the water," he added.

Bashir, who claims to have five star feedback on rival ridesharing app Bolt, said he was desperate to get his Uber account back four years later because of the cost of living crisis. With record petrol prices because of the war in Ukraine, he's desperate to have his old agreement back so he can work as many jobs as possible.


Image: My London

App Drivers and Couriers Union President Yasee Aslam told MyLondon fake reviews were rife and slammed Uber's dismissal system as a "sham". He explained the main obstacle was the employment status of Uber drivers as workers, not employees, meaning they aren't given the same rights and can be dismissed without a fair hearing.

"People just click a button and give one star," he explained, "The way the system is programmed is stacked against drivers... We are talking about a group of drivers from the BME community struggling to make ends meet, working long hours, and their livelihood relies on a button. The pressure and the stress is quite high."

He also pointed to more extreme cases where drivers have had their private hire license revoked completely, without even knowing of the complaints against them. In these cases the burden of proof is on the driver to prove their innocence in a magistrates court.

Uber has been approached for comment.

Find that very hard to believe.


Reminds me of a recent thread in the licensing forum

But, something I've been meaning to ask for years (I know the answer, obviously, and just asking for a friend ).

Presumably 'quasi-judicial' decisions in London are taken by officials rather than elected members of [whatever]?

so if you know the answer anyway come on then tell us .

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

Correct.

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IDFIMH

I think there is an element of fake comments, or punters making mountains out of molehills, but sadly that's the business we are all in.

Did someone mention CCTV/dashcams?

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IDFIMH

Regardless of what type of punishment Uber inflicted on the driver this type of behavior is unacceptable.

I am almost certain this was one of the reasons why the court case ruling decided that the drivers working with Uber were classed as "workers".

However, this type of power and control in my opinion classes them as employees not workers.

They are supposed to be an "app" based company "connecting" drivers with customers etc.

At best the customers should be able to decide after a journey if they don't want that driver for a future fare.

For example, if a customer does not like the service and rates a driver "1 star" then the app should provide a feature where the customer can tailor their preferences to avoid getting that same driver allocated to them in a future booking.

If Uber cannot figure out a way to do that then they should not be be permitted to have that service. At least not with self-employed drivers or "workers".

If Uber can decide who gets suspended then the drivers should be employees.

I am surprised more drivers don't kick up a fuss about this.

If that specific issue was brought up in a court I am sure Uber would have big problems.

Yes, spot on Mr Rebel. I think the ratings system did feature in Uber's Supreme Court employment status case, but I wouldn't swear to that.

But if it didn't then it should have.

I think it appeared as a kind of control measure.

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IDFIMH