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Boost for Uber as Transport for London drops proposals

Taxi firm Uber has been boosted by the news that Transport for London (TfL) is to drop plans to introduce a five minute delay to any pick-ups in the city.

The proposals would have also seen the implementation of a mandatory delay, whereby private hire companies would have had to wait five minutes from a customer hailing a ride before picking them up. A ban on the real-time display of cars in apps was also considered.

Uber protested strongly when the plans were first announced; research commissioned by the taxi firm claimed that its drivers stood to lose £1,000 each a year were the proposals to be implemented. The report also found that, when the research was carried out in October 2015, more than 43% of trips began within five minutes of the customer’s request.

In the report published today, TfL has now announced that it will not take either of these controversial measures further.

Jo Bertram, Uber’s regional general manager in the UK, told the Guardian: “We’re pleased that Transport for London has listened to the views of passengers and drivers, dropping the bonkers ideas proposed last year like compulsory five-minute wait times and banning showing cars in apps.”

Other proposals that were also considered will now be implemented, including a topographical test for new private hire drivers and an English comprehension test.

Garrett Emmerson, TfL’s Chief Operating Officer for Surface Transport, believed the proposals were good news for Londoners and said: “We had an overwhelming response to the consultation with 16,000 responses and all of the proposals we are taking forward received majority support. We also discussed the proposals in detail with the trade over several months.

“The final package includes formal English language requirements for drivers, guaranteed fares quotes for customers before their journeys, easier process for customers to complain if they need to, and more information given to customers about the car they are about to get into.

“This will create the environment for a flourishing private hire industry and wide choice for customers alongside London’s iconic and world-class taxi service,” he added.