Uber app ruled legal in London despite black cab protests

Uber app ruled legal by London transport authority despite black cab protests
Uber drivers are free to go about their business in London

Transport for London is satisfied that the Uber taxi app is operating within the law, despite protests from legions of the city's black cab drivers.

The mobile ride-sharing app is free to continue operating within the city, according to TfL, which rejected cabbies' claims the app's driver's should be licensed because of the way they calculate fees.

In a statement to the TFL board, MD of Surface Transport Leon Daniels said: "In relation to the way Uber operates in London, TfL is satisfied that based upon our understanding of the relationship between passenger and Uber London, and between Uber London and Uber BV, registered in Holland, that it is operating lawfully under the terms of the 1988 PHV(L) Act."

Drivers use smartphones to meter fares rather than traditional taximeters and as a result "have no operational or physical connection with the vehicles, and [so] … are not taximeters within the meaning of the legislation," Daniels said.

Standstill

The ruling comes after London black cab drivers brought attempted to bring the capital to a standstill with a strike last month.

TFL's decision isn't the end of the matter. Whether smartphones can be classed as taximeters will be decided in a British court next month.

For now, Uber drivers are free to go about their business.

Via TIME

Chris Smith

A technology journalist, writer and videographer of many magazines and websites including T3, Gadget Magazine and TechRadar.com. He specializes in applications for smartphones, tablets and handheld devices, with bylines also at The Guardian, WIRED, Trusted Reviews and Wareable. Chris is also the podcast host for The Liverpool Way. As well as tech and football, Chris is a pop-punk fan and enjoys the art of wrasslin'.

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