I know this story is older but I wanted to post it in order to show our readers that UBER is not welcomed everywhere.
The protests in London follow similar demonstrations in Paris, Madrid, Rome, Milan and Berlin.
The protests in London follow similar demonstrations in Paris, Madrid, Rome, Milan and Berlin.
It is hurry up time for UBER as they realize that the clock is ticking and many governments are weighing in on the legality and the long term negative effects UBER will have on their towns. Don't get me wrong the technology is long over-due in the taxi industry, but UBER needs to be better regulated. Hopefully city councils everywhere will take their time and evaluate the real cost of UBER. So far GREEDY UBER has been able to grease the machine in Chicago. The City Council in Chicago voted for tougher regulations and UBER has been able to lobby the right politicians and slow down the hand that may or may not enforce stricter rules on UBER. Call your alderman and ask them when is UBER going to have to abide by their rules? What are the new rules to be imposed on UBER and what day will they begin enforcing these new rules?
11 June 2014
Last updated at 12:59 ET
Thedrivers are angry about what they regard as a lack of regulation of the use of apps such as Uber.
The app works out the cost of journeys and cab drivers say it is the same as using a taxi meter, which only black cabs are legally entitled to use.
The Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA) also said part of the demonstration was about highlighting the length of training - between four and seven years - that taxi drivers undergo before being licensed.
Areas around Parliament Square and Trafalgar Square were gridlocked
During the protest, roads were gridlocked around Parliament Square, Whitehall and Trafalgar Square.
Steve McNamara, from the LTDA, said: "We did not set out to cause disruption to Londoners.
"It is nothing to do with technology, some of the taxis have been using apps for years. The difference is all taxis have to operate legally, they [Uber] should have toapply for the same rules as everyone else."
He added that two drivers had been arrested and 10,000 drivers had attended the protest.
Approach roads to Trafalgar Square were brought to a standstill
But Scotland Yard denied any arrests had been made and Transport for London estimated that about 4,000 drivers had taken part.
Despite the protest, Uber said it had seen the number of peopledownloading its app increase by 850% compared to last Wednesday.
The Metropolitan Police had imposed strict conditions on protesters, including limiting the protest to an hour, after they failed to meet officers to discuss their plans.
Ch Sup Pippa Mills said, "Those who took part in today's protest complied with the timings set by police.
Black cabs were refused access to Trafalgar Square
"However, we would always encourage organisers to meet with us
to discuss their plans in advance so that they can achieve their aims
around protest and we can ensure that disruption to the broader
community is minimised."
Steve Garelick of the GMB union said: "I can categorically refute the claim that police have contacted me about this protest."
BBC London 94.9's Anna O'Neill said Haymarket was brought to a standstill and at one point cabs were prevented from accessing Trafalgar Square.
Some motorists sat on the pavements as they waited for the protest to end.
Stewart Rose said Uber was "the beginning of the end" for cabbies
David Batist, 28, said although he had received an email alert from TfL warning him about the potential disruption it had been worse that expected.
"I didn't expect this. I would've taken a different route, had I known. It's caused me quite a lot of disruption. I've had to cancel a meeting."
Black cab driver Bernie Doyle, 68, said: "If Paris, Milan and Berlin don't accept it why should we? I've been driving 42 years and I'm not about to see my trade go down the pan."
Stewart Rose, who has been been driving since 1971, said: "It's the beginning of the end for us. If Uber can do it what's going to stop other companies from getting this app?
Taxis started to move away from 15:00 BST
"Why did they award them the licence before it went to court, they've done it the wrong way round."
Organisations including the Rail and Maritime Transport union, London Cab Drivers Club and Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA) were represented at the protest.
Some in Trafalgar Square were heard chanting "Boris, Boris, Boris, out, out, out", while others beeped horns and held placards.
Uber launched in 2009 and operates in more than 70 cities across 37 countries.
Similar protests took place across Europe, including this one in Berlin
While those opposed to it are concerned unlicensed drivers are
being contacted via the app, with no checks on whether they are
legitimate, Uber said "every driver meets all local regulations" and is
vetted with insurance and background checks.
TfL is seeking a High Court ruling on whether the use of such an app is legal.
The protests in London follow similar demonstrations in Paris, Madrid, Rome, Milan and Berlin.
London's anti-Uber taxi protest brings traffic to standstill
Aerial footage showed gridlock in some parts of the capital
Thousands of taxi drivers brought part of central London to a standstill in protest at rival service Uber - a mobile phone app.
Cabbies gathered at Trafalgar Square at 14:00 BST for the hour-long protest. The
The app works out the cost of journeys and cab drivers say it is the same as using a taxi meter, which only black cabs are legally entitled to use.
The Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA) also said part of the demonstration was about highlighting the length of training - between four and seven years - that taxi drivers undergo before being licensed.
Areas around Parliament Square and Trafalgar Square were gridlocked
Steve McNamara, from the LTDA, said: "We did not set out to cause disruption to Londoners.
"It is nothing to do with technology, some of the taxis have been using apps for years. The difference is all taxis have to operate legally, they [Uber] should have to
He added that two drivers had been arrested and 10,000 drivers had attended the protest.
Approach roads to Trafalgar Square were brought to a standstill
Despite the protest, Uber said it had seen the number of people
The Metropolitan Police had imposed strict conditions on protesters, including limiting the protest to an hour, after they failed to meet officers to discuss their plans.
Ch Sup Pippa Mills said, "Those who took part in today's protest complied with the timings set by police.
Black cabs were refused access to Trafalgar Square
Steve Garelick of the GMB union said: "I can categorically refute the claim that police have contacted me about this protest."
BBC London 94.9's Anna O'Neill said Haymarket was brought to a standstill and at one point cabs were prevented from accessing Trafalgar Square.
Some motorists sat on the pavements as they waited for the protest to end.
Stewart Rose said Uber was "the beginning of the end" for cabbies
"I didn't expect this. I would've taken a different route, had I known. It's caused me quite a lot of disruption. I've had to cancel a meeting."
Black cab driver Bernie Doyle, 68, said: "If Paris, Milan and Berlin don't accept it why should we? I've been driving 42 years and I'm not about to see my trade go down the pan."
Stewart Rose, who has been been driving since 1971, said: "It's the beginning of the end for us. If Uber can do it what's going to stop other companies from getting this app?
Taxis started to move away from 15:00 BST
Organisations including the Rail and Maritime Transport union, London Cab Drivers Club and Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA) were represented at the protest.
Some in Trafalgar Square were heard chanting "Boris, Boris, Boris, out, out, out", while others beeped horns and held placards.
Uber launched in 2009 and operates in more than 70 cities across 37 countries.
Similar protests took place across Europe, including this one in Berlin
TfL is seeking a High Court ruling on whether the use of such an app is legal.
The protests in London follow similar demonstrations in Paris, Madrid, Rome, Milan and Berlin.
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