Uber loses licence.
 

More news from the UK.
It was announced today that Transport for London is not renewing Uber's Private Hire licence, required to operate in the city. TfL concluded the ride-hailing app firm was not fit and proper to hold a London private hire operator licence. It said it took the decision on the grounds of "public safety and security implications".
Uber has 21 days to appeal against TfL's decision and can continue to operate while any appeals are ongoing. 40,000 Uber driver's, in the city, will lose their livelihood, many with heavy commercial leases on their vehicles.

That's about how I look at it.

People think we're backwards for not having it here (much if at all), but I wouldn't use it. Taxi drivers are licensed, insured and accountable, at least.

I take the opposite tack: it's micro-entrepreneurship at its best. The reputation system hooked up with rules for the age of cars, etc. plus self-interest in maintaining the revenue stream makes this IMHO fairly safe. Plus there's some liability indemnity on the company side; that varies a bit, though.

Don't want to chance it? Fair enough. I'm not going to argue otherwise; just don't use it. Voting with your dollars is great! But don't then strip away the option for others.

All I have to say is.

Those who give up a little freedom for a little security, deserve neither and will lose both.

As usual the UK press doesn't report the real reasons behind their move.

True enough. Others are welcome to do as they please, and I am free not to use such services.

The only ones I know of who complain that we don't have it are the amercian tourists when they arrive by the boatload - make that several boat loads at once - and then whine that we should have Uber so they don't have to wait for the taxis to catch up with the overload. Yeah, go to another country and then whine about how it needs to change for your selfish wants...that will really win you points with the locals. :rolleyes: Never cared one way or another about Uber until I saw that.

Anyway, pardon me if I feel no sympathy for Uber. I have no reason to.

Which is?

Well, it's a well known fact, Sonny Jim, that there's a secret society of the five wealthiest people in the world, known as the Pentavirate, who run everything in the world, including the newspapers, and meet tri-annually at a secret country mansion in Colorado, known as The Meadows...

...wearing their tin-foil hats, wearing solid black robes, chanting in Esperanto?

Shhhh!!!

Uber, reviving old tactic, is backed by more than 500,000 in London row | Article [AMP] | Reuters

What were some of the statistics that reflected poorly on Uber drivers vs traditional cab services that prompted this decision?

Just the opposite would be more likely; that people who own their cars and their reputation have more at stake, and should be less likely to deliver poor, dangerous, or unsanitary service compared to the drivers that do not own the cars or company.

The reasons given seem to hinge mainly on the fact they do not vet their drivers to the satisfaction of Transport for London and do not report serious crime reported to them.
Seemingly, a paedophile can lease a car and drive for Uber, without having to pass any scrutinisation. Even a bus driver, here in the UK, has to pass a Criminal Records check, to get a licence.

Don't know how I let this one through, but Uber abides by every one of the criteria you listed (licensed, insured, accountable). How does one go about letting the community know about a bad taxi driver? In Uber, you leave a star rating and add a comment about what was good or bad about the experience.

In fact, my very nicely maintained car was denied due to tread below their minimum depth, and uneven brake wear.

If I feel a NY taxi driver placed my life at undue risk, how should I inform others?

Eh, how much crime does a criminal background check prevent?

At one point, all criminals had a clean record, so just because someone doesn't have a public record of their misdeeds, doesn't mean they aren't engaged in them. If anything, a person with a criminal record would feel the pressure of extra scrutiny and be motivated to abide by the law.