{"id":30739,"date":"2019-10-26T16:00:32","date_gmt":"2019-10-26T15:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thevoiceoflondon.co.uk\/?p=30739"},"modified":"2019-10-26T16:00:32","modified_gmt":"2019-10-26T15:00:32","slug":"uber-set-to-be-banned-in-london-next-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/thevoiceoflondon\/uber-set-to-be-banned-in-london-next-month\/","title":{"rendered":"Uber set to be banned in London next month"},"content":{"rendered":"

Prepare to say goodbye to your five-star rating as Uber is set to lose its licence to operate in London, if the business fails to reach TfL\u2019s demands by the end of November. <\/strong><\/p>\n

The Independent<\/a> reported, Uber first lost their licence in 2017 due to public safety concerns after a string of complaints and cases were brought forward by customers. A judge granted Uber a 15-month extension which was due to run out in September- but was further extended till November.<\/p>\n

To keep its licence, Uber will have to make a series of fundamental changes to the business\u2019 operations. But, as Uber\u2019s losses widen and have a mere two months to reinvent the business, can they do it in time?<\/p>\n

While Uber has been scrambling to save their licence and appease TfL, their competitors have been dominating the London market. Most of their competitors have diversified the ride-share market, with many boasting to be better than Uber.<\/p>\n

London’s new ride-share apps:<\/p>\n

Kapten –<\/strong> Uber\u2019s biggest competitor, gives its users a free loyalty programme and offers regular discounts to all users.<\/p>\n

London Lady Chauffeurs –<\/strong> As the name suggests, London Lady Chauffeurs is an all-female driver app designed to offer a sense of security to women while riding.<\/p>\n

Taxiapp UK – <\/strong>Co-operatively owned and operated by experienced black cab drivers. TaxiappUK have combined the traditional taxi service with modern convenience.<\/p>\n

Uber\u2019s competitors appear to have listened to TfL and the court\u2019s demands, whilst also addressing customer complaints about the app\u2019s shortfalls.<\/p>\n

So, what do young Londoners think about the potential end of Uber in London?<\/p>\n

Georgia Franks, Poplar, commented: “Honestly I don’t think it’s that much of a big deal, I started using Kapten which it’s cheaper than Uber anyway.”<\/p>\n

Sofie Moffatt, Wembley, said: “I use Uber quite a lot, TfL need to butt out. If Uber was really that bad then there would be a nationwide ban.”<\/p>\n

Scott Mathew, Enfield, commented: “This means the black cabs and the mini cabs will basically have an expensive duopoly over the public taxi services in London. In a supposedly free market economy, that is bad both for Uber employees as well as consumers\/riders.”<\/p>\n

Will Uber manage to save its London licence in time? Let us know your thoughts, tweet us: @VoiceOfLondonUK using #Uber<\/strong><\/p>\n

Update: Uber’s stock has near-record fall after London licence loss<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Words by: Monica Young<\/p>\n

Photo by: Pixabay<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Prepare to say goodbye to your five-star rating as Uber is set to lose its licence to operate in London, if the business fails to reach TfL\u2019s demands by the end of November. The Independent…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":476,"featured_media":30741,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21,93,134],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30739","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business","category-news","category-uknews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t