Uber Tells ECJ It’s Not A Taxi Service, But Is The Verdict A Done Deal…?

Uber Tells ECJ It’s Not A Taxi Service, But Is The Verdict A Done Deal…?

Minicab company Uber has rebutted accusations that it is working as a taxi service and should be regulated as such before Europe’s highest court on Tuesday.

The Californian firm again stressed that its business is solely focused on providing a smartphone app that connects drivers and customers, and also made the case that it has helped cut pollution and improved the quality of life in the European countries in which it has a presence.
Speaking before the panel of 15 judges, Uber’s lawyer Cani Fernandez said:
Uber is part of a wave of technology which radically changes the way we shop, obtain information…”
“Uber contributes to linking drivers and passengers more efficiently,” she continued, before arguing that the company has made it easier for people to get around, drivers to get access to parking and reduced pollution.
The much-anticipated European Court of Justice appearance comes as a direct result of Barcelona’s main tax operator accusing Uber of running an illegal taxi service via its UberPOP service back in 2014 and the court’s ultimate decision could have massive implications for not only how Uber does business, but also the tech likes of Airbnb and the “gig economy” as a whole.
Spain has been joined by both Ireland and France in calling for Uber to be subject to the same rules as other transport services. On the other side, Finland, Greece, Poland and The Netherlands – where its European headquarters are based – are supporting it in court, as well as the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
EFTA’s lawyer asked the court to “send a message that innovation and new business opportunities in the European Union should be encouraged and not hindered by submitting them to unnecessary rules.” You can get legal aid from https://dlfattorneys.com/kingston/civil-litigation/ in case you don’t know what must be done in such cases.
If Uber is judged to be a transport service rather than a mere digital platform that facilitates independent business, it would have to deal with far stricter rules in terms of licensing, insurance and safety if it is to operate in the EU.
Montse Balague Farre, lawyer for Barcelona’s Asociación Profesional Élite Taxi, said:
“If there is a transport service provided, a company should not be able to hide behind the thin veil of a different service.”
IN IRELAND
The National Transport Authority (NTA) poured cold water on Uber’s plans to bring ride-sharing to Ireland back in August.
An NTA spokesperson has said that it is unlikely that there will be any change to the current Irish legislation preventing drivers charging for the transportation of others without a taxi licence.
While Uber has a number of taxi drivers using its service in Dublin, the majority of its worldwide business utilises unlicensed drivers using its smartphone app to ride-share.
An ECJ adviser will deliver a non-binding opinion in the coming months, with an official verdict from the judges not expected until at least March 2017.
EDITORIAL COMMENT:
Just to show what a complete waste of time and money this whole case is…and in some minds no more than a massive PR exercise, right and the end of this article, we are informed that the 15 European Court Justices are no more than advisors and that the verdict (or opinion) will be non-binding.
No such thing as bad publicity they say…
So a win win situation then for Uber then ?
Uber passengers suffer ride from hell as driver ‘violently’ throws them out after wild detour through Chingford

Uber passengers suffer ride from hell as driver ‘violently’ throws them out after wild detour through Chingford

TWO Uber passengers suffered the journey from hell as their driver violently threw them out after taking a wild detour in the opposite direction.

Shenel Osman, 28, and her friend Rachel Cousins, 26, booked a cab using the controversial app Uber after leaving Club 195 in Epping, on Saturday night (November 26).

Setting off for home in Cheshunt just after midnight, the young women were expecting their journey to take around 20 minutes considering the empty roads.

To their surprise, they noticed he was not following a usual route and was in fact driving in the opposite direction.

Fearing they were being ‘taken for a ride’ Miss Osman asked the driver to turn back, noticing they were nowhere near her home while checking the route on her Uber app.

The increasingly worried passengers kept asking the man to turn around but he continued regardless.

Miss Osman said the man was quadrupling their fare, and at this point, she cancelled the journey on her app.

She said: “He then became very aggressive and told us we had to leave his car instantly.”

The driver then stopped his black Mercedes E-Class on Lea Valley Road, in Chingford, leaving his seat to confront the girls.

Miss Osman said he opened the back door where she and her friend were sitting and began hitting Miss Cousins while yanking at her seat belt.

She added: “He then physically threw us out of his car and dumped us in the middle of nowhere down a deserted road in the early hours of the morning.

“He should not be allowed to work with so much aggression, both verbal and physical, and leave two young girls on a deserted road at that time of night.

“Not only was he unprofessional but he was also heartless.

“We need to make people aware of these things and prevent them from reoccurring.”

After making a formal complaint, the passengers were refunded their Uber journey.

An Uber spokesperson said: “Violence of any kind is unacceptable and is not tolerated by Uber.

“If serious incidents are reported it is our policy to prevent the licensed driver from using the app whilst we investigate.

“We’re currently investigating this incident and will take the appropriate action when we have all the details.”

 

Source: Guardian

Taxis Could Lose More Road Space, CoL To Trial Bus And Cycles Only At Bank Junction.

Taxis Could Lose More Road Space, CoL To Trial Bus And Cycles Only At Bank Junction.

Just when you thought the City of London’s traffic  couldn’t possibly get any worse, we’ve now been  informed that officials have announced an experimental scheme will go ahead which will see all traffic except for buses and cycles banned from the bank junction. We are also informed that City of London officers will be recommending to their members Taxis be excluded.

CoL say there has been 111 accidents with two fatalities.  There has been injuries that required to find injury lawyers in Miami. It’s blatantly obvious that officials haven’t done their homework, as when asked how many Licensed Taxis were involved, they didn’t have a comprehensive breakdown of the statistics.

The Cab Ranks Committee have asked CoL to conduct another survey with Taxis, as they’ve done with other groups such as buses and cyclists etc.

We’ve all seen the photos, the videos, of Uber cars involved in horrendous crashes in the city. Its alleged that most of these accidents have been caused by Uber drivers taking their eyes off the road to constantly look for SatNav directions as they are unfamiliar with the road network in the City. It is important to check auto accident attorney and get their help in case of accidents.

Well at least they’re cheap !

With London’s Taxi trade facing a very bleak new year, we’ve learned we are to lose a huge chunk of road space, which will be taken away from us irrespective of the fact, we are the only 100% wheelchair accessible transport service in the capital.

We will be appealing to TfL board members Tanni Grey Thompson  and Dr Alice Maynard later this week if they will launch/support an objection to the scheme.

Unfortunately in the past, we received no help from Ms Thompson when we asked for her support for Taxis to be given full access to Oxford Street/Tottenham Court Road, when plans became public pointing to their pedestrianisation.

“Sorry luv, next time you’ll have to go by bus”

Now just take a step back for a minute:

Do you honestly think anyone could be so incompetent, as to get the traffic flow in London so wrong. Even the Chancellor Philip Hammond offered Mayor Khan the money to tear out the cycle lanes and get London moving again as it’s costing the capital billions in lost hours.

Now, who do you think is behind this madness?

Have you heard a similar speech somewhere before?

“We are working with the City of London and other partners to develop and assess options for a complete redesign of Bank Junction, which aims to transform the junction into a safer and better environment that all drivers, cyclists and pedestrians can enjoy. We are supporting the City in delivering a scheme that will help reduce the number of collisions and ensure safer routes and improve bus journey times.”

Now where have you heard these words before….

Here’s a little clue!

That’s right, 10 out of 10 if you said, Leon Daniels, Managing Director of TfL’s Surface Transport

The Elephant And Castle….A place where people will want to be said Leon the liar!

Many believe, as I do, this chaos has been caused by design. There seems to be a clear agenda to put people off using cars, Taxis, buses and get them packed onto the tube at times outside the rush hour.

Think about the mass of road works which suddenly spring up, with no one appearing to be working.

Completely unnecessary four way traffic light systems, again with no sign of life.

This man made chaos is creating resentment from Taxi passengers, as fares become artificially inflated by TfL caused congestion.

LCDC Chairman Grant Davis at the Bank Junction.

.
As Uber’s Case Is Heard In Europe’s Top Court, It’s Drivers In U.S. Cities Join Planned Worker Protests

As Uber’s Case Is Heard In Europe’s Top Court, It’s Drivers In U.S. Cities Join Planned Worker Protests

Drivers for ride service company Uber will join planned nationwide protests on Tuesday, when activists and low-wage workers renew their call for better pay and the right to join a union in the wake of Donald Trump’s U.S. presidential election win, organizers said.

Hundreds of Uber drivers in two dozen cities, including San Francisco, Miami and Boston, for the first time will add their voices to the union-backed “Fight for $15” campaign that has helped convince several cities and states to raise starting pay significantly above the U.S. minimum wage of $7.25.

Justin Berisie, 34, drives for Uber in Denver and is joining Tuesday’s protests.

“Someone who lives in America and goes to work every day, that person deserves a decent living,” said Berisie, who has a 5-year-old daughter and is struggling to make ends meet. He said he earns $500 or less, before expenses such as gasoline, during an average week where he is on duty for 50 to 60 hours.

The four-year-old “Fight for $15” movement includes fast-food workers, home care aides, airport baggage handlers and other low-wage employees. Organizers from “Fight for $15,” which is backed by the Service Employees International Union, say the campaign’s Nov. 29 demonstrations will take place in 340 cities and nearly 20 of the nation’s busiest airports.

U.S. policy is expected to become less worker friendly following the election of Trump, a international businessman who will be president as fellow Republicans control both chambers of Congress as well as federal agencies that govern the formation of unions, overtime rules and more.

Uber drivers have sued the company in several states, accusing it of depriving drivers of various employment protections by misclassifying them as independent contractors.

The lawsuits are a test for companies such as Uber Technologies Inc [UBER.UL], a high-profile player in the so-called “sharing economy,” which say that their contractor model allows for flexibility that many see as important to their success. A legal finding that drivers are employees could raise Uber’s costs and force it to pay Social Security, workers’ compensation, and unemployment insurance.

Source: Rueters.

Uber could have to pay out billions if it’s drivers are employees.

Here’s what it would cost Uber to pay its drivers as employees

Source : Fortune Magazine
CAB CHAT RADIO SHOW E116 29-11-2016

CAB CHAT RADIO SHOW E116 29-11-2016

 

CAB CHAT RADIO SHOW E116 29-11-2016

HOSTED THIS WEEK BY:
@SUPERCABBY, @GENTLEMANCABBIE, @SEANPAULDAY & @MACTHECAB @IAMCABMAN @THEHOLBORNCAB

 

Issues Discussed this week:

Macs last Cab Chat Show for the forseeable future alhtough he will return at some point.

Macs Cheesy Song at the beginning of the show.

Mac leaves half way through the show to drive off and start his new life.

Another Massive Parody Release this week.

The Add Lee, Gett rumour was discussed briefly during the show.

Taxi drivers and depression and mental health

Taxi App advert.

Parody Songs

And much more………

Callers to the Show this week:

Saul

Brian from West London Knowledge School

Drumslayer

Odd Bobby

And Much More…………

Email: cabchat@gmail.com
Tel: 020 8144 8294
http://londontaxiradio.co.uk

London Taxi Radio’s new format radio show. Hosted by SuperCabby, MacTheCab, SeanPaulDay, TheHolbornCab, @GentlemanCabbie & @Iamcabman they share their views and opinions of the London Taxi Trade interspersed with music and Jingles.

London Taxi Radio is an New Digital Media initiative incorporating an online radio station, podcasts, Youtube channel, photographs and video footage