TfL ditches proposals to crack down on Uber

Uber, which currently has around 25,000 drivers in the capital, claimed a big victory on Wednesday as Transport for London abandoned proposals that would have seriously restricted the California-based taxi hailing app.

The public transport regulator decided not to impose proposals such as forcing operators to provide booking confirmation details to passengers, an imposed five-minute wait between ordering a cab and getting a ride, and allowing passengers to book cabs up to a week in advance.

TfL had also been entertaining the idea of prohibiting operators from showing cabs as available for immediate hire by street signage or via an app, as well as forcing private hire drivers to register with only one minicab firm at a time.

Uber’s regional general manager in the UK, Jo Bertram, said: “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.”

Among the measures TfL now plans to take forward were: a formal English language requirement for drivers, a phone line so customers can speak to someone if there is a problem, more robust ‘hire and reward’ insurance requirements, and guaranteed fares for customers before their journeys.

Tfl also said on Wednesday that it was considering making minicabs pay the London congestion charge fee and charging operators such as Uber more for a minicab licence.