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We are bringing competition to an industry that hasn’t evolved in years. Hailo launched a good six months before Uber in London, and seems to have done so by w

We are bringing competition to an industry that hasn’t evolved in years. Hailo launched a good six months before Uber in London, and seems to have done so by working with industry and regulators, rather than by skirting around the law. As per the regulations, cars using the Uber platform do not have a taximeter – TFL have confirmed that smart phones used by private hire drivers do not constitute the equipping of a vehicle with a taximeter. This is technically correct, and it's why London hasn't acted against Uber. They're not breaking any laws at this point. However, the use of smartphones in this fashion provides the same functionality as a taximeter. There's no denying that; the letter of the law may be followed, but the spirit is clearly being violated. And that's why black cab drivers in London are upset. I wish Uber all the best - it's good to have some competition in this space. But I can also see why the LTDA(?) would be annoyed by this - they're essentially evading regulations in a pretty direct manner, and in their place I'd be pissed off too.

orkoden 12y ago
Evading regulations is the whole business model of companies like Uber and AirBnB.
- nickff 12y ago
  The most interesting part of this is that the regulations were ostensibly instituted to protect the public from a parade of horribles; but the public seems to like the 'dangerous' service.
  - dfxm12 12y ago
    There's a difference between "like" and "accept the risk of". I would never have used airbnb or Uber (and the like) if I hadn't heard good things about the services from my friends. Plus, these services offer me something that "legit" ones don't. Sometimes I can't get a cab, or get refused service. Sometimes it's cheaper to rent a whole house rather than enough hotel rooms for a large family... Look, there's times when I was in a black (or yellow) taxi and didn't feel safe. Just because regulations are in place, that doesn't mean the public is always safe. Regulators aren't always watching, nor are they always straight.
- stephenhuey 12y ago
  That's not true. Uber is ahead on some basic features like being able to track the progress of the approaching car and seeing the driver's photo on your smartphone. Also, I think they still provide drivers with rates that increase when demand rises. So they compete by providing better perks for both drivers and riders.

orkoden 12y ago

Evading regulations is the whole business model of companies like Uber and AirBnB.

nickff 12y ago
The most interesting part of this is that the regulations were ostensibly instituted to protect the public from a parade of horribles; but the public seems to like the 'dangerous' service.
- dfxm12 12y ago
  There's a difference between "like" and "accept the risk of". I would never have used airbnb or Uber (and the like) if I hadn't heard good things about the services from my friends. Plus, these services offer me something that "legit" ones don't. Sometimes I can't get a cab, or get refused service. Sometimes it's cheaper to rent a whole house rather than enough hotel rooms for a large family... Look, there's times when I was in a black (or yellow) taxi and didn't feel safe. Just because regulations are in place, that doesn't mean the public is always safe. Regulators aren't always watching, nor are they always straight.
stephenhuey 12y ago
That's not true. Uber is ahead on some basic features like being able to track the progress of the approaching car and seeing the driver's photo on your smartphone. Also, I think they still provide drivers with rates that increase when demand rises. So they compete by providing better perks for both drivers and riders.