UK plans law to limit cab licences as Uber raises taxi-industry, lawmakers concerns

MILAN: India is not the only country where taxi hailing app Uber has sent the lawmakers into a tizzy. Faced with acute congestion problem caused by Uber in London, authorities in Britain are planning to bring a law to limit the number of licences given out in the capital city.
Andrew Hendy, commissioner of transport for London and president of International Union of Public Transport (UITP), said Uber is “undoubtedly controversial“ and the technology change has outstripped the ability of legislation. “It is a painful adjustment but it is inevitable,“ he said.

Hendy said Uber was given the licence because there was no provision in the current law to deny the company registration. However, taxi operators have taken Uber to court for sending the fare on drivers' phone, thereby using it as a taxi meter. “We are waiting for our high court to give a clarity on this. Tomorrow, if the fare goes on passenger's phone we can't accuse him of carrying a taxi meter,“ he said.

The taxi industry is also concerned about the cashless transactions encouraged by Uber since they deal only in cash payments. “Uber is complement to public transport system since it provides a last mile option. But the way it has grown has become worrisome,“ Hendy said.

Uber currently satisfies all conditions of London's licensing system including the one requiring all drivers to know English. Unlike in India, Uber has not faced any issues around safety and background checks of its drivers in London. India too is planning to make changes in its road safety laws to regulate taxi hailing apps like Uber and Ola. Delhi government recently refused fresh licence to the app-based services for not providing all the necessary information.

Besides, London is also contemplating a ban on “bicycle-operated cabs“ for safety concerns. India's road safety ministry had, last year, issued rules and guidelines to let e-rickshaws ply on the roads.

(The reporter is in Milan at the invitation of Alstom India)