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“Uber drivers claim discrimination over London congestion plan”

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  1. chdot
    Admin

    The group, which includes Uber drivers, says the charge is discriminatory as 94% of them are from black, Asian and other minority ethnic backgrounds.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-47360402

    Posted 5 years ago #
  2. Frenchy
    Member

    "I will be punished for coming to work. This is a tax on poor drivers,"

    I'll admit that I chuckled at this.

    Posted 5 years ago #
  3. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    If 94% of them are from black, Asian and other minority ethnic backgrounds surely it is Uber which is discriminating?

    Posted 5 years ago #
  4. Frenchy
    Member

    If 94% of them are from black, Asian and other minority ethnic backgrounds surely it is Uber which is discriminating?

    That'd depend on the application rates. It could be that people from BAME backgrounds are discriminated against elsewhere (TfL, for example), making them far more likely to apply for PHC licenses/drive Ubers.

    Posted 5 years ago #
  5. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    @Frenchy

    Maybe British society is discriminatory?

    Posted 5 years ago #
  6. chdot
    Admin

    “surely it is Uber which is discriminating?”

    Interesting idea, but I think in this case Uber will (more or less) take anyone who has access to a car and hopes to make money with it.

    Taxi driving, small shopkeeping, renting out rooms/houses and other forms of self employment are ways that many immigrants have earned a living (not just in the UK).

    (Obviously not all those from “minority ethnic backgrounds” are first generation immigrants.)

    It’s all about a lot more than an attack on poor, ‘minority background’, hardpressed drivers.

    I suspect that 94% of London black cab drivers aren’t from “black, Asian and other minority ethnic backgrounds”

    Nice try by Uber, but somewhat disingenuous way of saying ‘we don’t like regulations’.

    Posted 5 years ago #
  7. ARobComp
    Member

    I can guarantee that based on the organisation bringing about this claim it has nothing to do with Uber policy....

    Weirdly I would say that a congestion charge is not a terrible thing for Uber policy. They are keen to push hard on their "pool" products which allow multiple people to use the same car. This creates HUGE efficiencies in the system and allows earnings for drivers to increase or at least stay the same (despite angry shouting to the contrary).

    For Pool to work you need density of people, and an attractive price point which makes up for the slightly longer journey time.

    Previously uberX was cheap enough that the price point of pool wasn't attractive enough for people, however perhaps there might now be either an increase in that charge, or a change in the number of UberX available (less drivers entering the zone) and therefore pool use increases. Plus the use of Jump bikes etc which is coming soon I am sure.

    Posted 5 years ago #
  8. ARobComp
    Member

    Also yes Uber does not discriminate on who joins in any way. Since the latest TFL English Language Requirements came around (ability to write english essays not just speak english) They are actively providing free English language training to anyone who needs it in order to maintain their way of earning a living. It would be severely counter productive to be discriminatory.

    However there is still a gender wage gap between male and females which is quite interesting, but not because of the way the platform works. Recommend this rather interesting podcast from freakonomics: http://freakonomics.com/podcast/what-can-uber-teach-us-about-the-gender-pay-gap/

    Posted 5 years ago #
  9. neddie
    Member

    the slightly longer journey time

    Probably not much difference in practice. I'd have thought that an Uber would be quicker than driving yourself privately, by the time you factor in finding a parking space and paying for it

    Posted 5 years ago #
  10. neddie
    Member

    I think it's only fair that black cabs pay the congestion charge as well.

    I mean, why should they be let off? They are highly polluting, congesting and have an average occupancy of 0.8. Most of the time they are driving around empty, looking for fares.

    I bet Ubers aren't driving around empty as much, as they are not able to be hailed.

    Posted 5 years ago #
  11. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    an average occupancy of 0.8

    One of my mates drives a cab and he's only about 80% there right enough.

    Posted 5 years ago #
  12. EdinburghCycleCam
    Member

    They are highly polluting, congesting and have an average occupancy of 0.8.
    Umm? :) How do you get an average occupancy of < 1.0?

    EDIT: Beaten to it by IWRATS

    Posted 5 years ago #
  13. Frenchy
    Member

    Umm? :) How do you get an average occupancy of < 1.0?

    You don't count the driver, since they're not really making a journey. An effective occupancy, if you prefer.

    Posted 5 years ago #
  14. Rosie
    Member

    The call only taxis in Edinburgh seem to be mostly driven by immigrants.

    Posted 5 years ago #
  15. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    @Rosie

    Private hire firms are often owned by persons with whom you would not wish to have a trade dispute of any description.

    Posted 5 years ago #
  16. EdinburghCycleCam
    Member

    You don't count the driver, since they're not really making a journey. An effective occupancy, if you prefer.
    Oh, in that case I'm impressed it's as high as 0.8!

    Posted 5 years ago #
  17. redmist
    Member

    My one experience of Uber in Edinburgh was not good, driver didn't know where he was going, kept fiddling with his Satnav while driving and drove way too fast. For the sake of saving a couple of quid I've not tried it again.
    Aren't the Edinburgh diesel taxis being banned soon ?

    Posted 5 years ago #
  18. neddie
    Member

    The "0.8" figure is from my memory, from the Twitteratti and is mostly likely London based (or biased). So take with a pinch of salt.

    Although, the figure could even be lower in a less dense (overall) city like Edinburgh. Definitely below 1.0 though.

    Also, a friend of my brother's works as a "Hackney" - that means a black cab which is not affiliated to any taxi organisation (like City Cabs or Central Taxis). "Hackneys" get their entire trade by driving around empty looking for fares or sitting in ranks, they are not summoned by telephonic apparatus in any way!

    Posted 5 years ago #
  19. ARobComp
    Member

    1 TPH for a Scottish hackney is probably not unreasonable. Uber is much higher than this. (2+).

    Normal private hire I expect to be about 1.5

    Posted 5 years ago #
  20. Frenchy
    Member

    TPH?

    Posted 5 years ago #
  21. Arellcat
    Moderator

    Taxi and Private Hire vehicles?
    Travel in person-hours?*
    Trains Per Hour?

    * this is incredibly interesting

    Posted 5 years ago #
  22. crowriver
    Member

    "a less dense (overall) city like Edinburgh"

    Possibly due to the number of university students and staff in the population? Or the schools are very good? Or just more 'professional' types?

    ;-)

    "TPH?"

    Like a TPS Report, but even less fun to fill out.

    [+] Embed the video | Video DownloadGet the Video Player

    Posted 5 years ago #
  23. ARobComp
    Member

    Ahem - Trips per hour. Another way of measuring efficiency in the system. Sorry.

    Posted 5 years ago #
  24. steveo
    Member

    Ah, I was going for taxis per hectare.

    Posted 5 years ago #

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