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'Uber protest' by black cab drivers brings traffic chaos to Westminster 'Uber protest' by black cab drivers brings traffic chaos to Westminster
(about 4 hours later)
Hundreds of black cab drivers have brought traffic in the streets around the House of Commons to a halt in a protest against unlicensed taxis in London. Hundreds of black cab drivers brought traffic in the streets around the House of Commons to a halt in a protest against unlicensed taxis in London.
Drivers staged a demonstration outside the headquarters of Transport for London (TfL) in Westminster on Tuesday in an ongoing dispute over the activities of unlicensed firms and new companies such as Uber. The protesters from United Cabbies Group claim TfL is not doing enough to enforce rules that ensure public safety in London taxis.Drivers staged a demonstration outside the headquarters of Transport for London (TfL) in Westminster on Tuesday in an ongoing dispute over the activities of unlicensed firms and new companies such as Uber. The protesters from United Cabbies Group claim TfL is not doing enough to enforce rules that ensure public safety in London taxis.
Len Martin, chairman of United Cabbies Group, claimed TfL lacked a clear policy on services based on apps, such as that provided by online taxi-booking firm Uber. He said in a statement: “Unless TfL develop a policy to control these apps and how they work, what will they enforce? It will become even more of an out-of-control free-for-all than it is now. This is a real and present danger now and it’s getting worse by the day.”Len Martin, chairman of United Cabbies Group, claimed TfL lacked a clear policy on services based on apps, such as that provided by online taxi-booking firm Uber. He said in a statement: “Unless TfL develop a policy to control these apps and how they work, what will they enforce? It will become even more of an out-of-control free-for-all than it is now. This is a real and present danger now and it’s getting worse by the day.”
Black cabs have been caught in a battle for business with companies such as Uber, which connects customers with approved drivers. But drivers claimed the protest was not about that firm’s rapid growth. One tweeted: “All drivers attending today’s demo, remember this is about TFL’s failure to enforce the private hire act which is putting the public at risk.”Black cabs have been caught in a battle for business with companies such as Uber, which connects customers with approved drivers. But drivers claimed the protest was not about that firm’s rapid growth. One tweeted: “All drivers attending today’s demo, remember this is about TFL’s failure to enforce the private hire act which is putting the public at risk.”
All drivers attending today's demo, remember this is about TFL's failure to enforce the private hire act which is putting the public at riskAll drivers attending today's demo, remember this is about TFL's failure to enforce the private hire act which is putting the public at risk
TfL had asked cab drivers to call off their protest, saying it would provide “a full response” to concerns raised in a report titled Future Proof, which called for a long-term strategy to enforce taxi regulation and clamp down on illegal touting.TfL had asked cab drivers to call off their protest, saying it would provide “a full response” to concerns raised in a report titled Future Proof, which called for a long-term strategy to enforce taxi regulation and clamp down on illegal touting.
Garrett Emmerson, TfL’s chief operating officer for surface transport, stated they would be “relentless” in improving public safety. He said: “We are determined to protect the livelihoods of all legitimate taxi and private hire drivers through robust enforcement action.”Garrett Emmerson, TfL’s chief operating officer for surface transport, stated they would be “relentless” in improving public safety. He said: “We are determined to protect the livelihoods of all legitimate taxi and private hire drivers through robust enforcement action.”
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Emmerson added: “There is absolutely no justification for this protest because we are already doing the very things they are calling for. Just like the previous protest on Oxford Street, it will achieve nothing other than to disrupt life and business in London.”Emmerson added: “There is absolutely no justification for this protest because we are already doing the very things they are calling for. Just like the previous protest on Oxford Street, it will achieve nothing other than to disrupt life and business in London.”
However, many commuters were unsympathetic to the cabbies. The Labour MP for Dudley North, Ian Austin, tweeted his dismay: “Taken 2.5 hours to get from Victoria to Westminster thanks to black cabs demo. How do I sign up for @Uber so I never have to use one again?”However, many commuters were unsympathetic to the cabbies. The Labour MP for Dudley North, Ian Austin, tweeted his dismay: “Taken 2.5 hours to get from Victoria to Westminster thanks to black cabs demo. How do I sign up for @Uber so I never have to use one again?”
Taken 2.5 hours to get from Victoria to Westminster thanks to black cabs demo. How do I sign up for @Uber so I never have to use one again?Taken 2.5 hours to get from Victoria to Westminster thanks to black cabs demo. How do I sign up for @Uber so I never have to use one again?
But Austin suffered a backlash, with other Twitter users claiming he could have walked the route in 15 minutes, and criticising him for being “anti-worker”.But Austin suffered a backlash, with other Twitter users claiming he could have walked the route in 15 minutes, and criticising him for being “anti-worker”.
Other commenters complained as they were unable to hail protesting black cab drivers, with Sam Bowman writing: “Row of black cab drivers parked across the road from me. Tried to hail one, but they’re all busy protesting. So I got an Uber instead.”Other commenters complained as they were unable to hail protesting black cab drivers, with Sam Bowman writing: “Row of black cab drivers parked across the road from me. Tried to hail one, but they’re all busy protesting. So I got an Uber instead.”
Row of black cab drivers parked across the road from me. Tried to hail one, but they're all busy protesting. So I got an Uber instead.Row of black cab drivers parked across the road from me. Tried to hail one, but they're all busy protesting. So I got an Uber instead.
Another protest by taxi drivers took place on Oxford Street in central London in April and in June last year thousands of drivers blocked the city’s streets.Another protest by taxi drivers took place on Oxford Street in central London in April and in June last year thousands of drivers blocked the city’s streets.