Should Uber be banned in London? Two experts give their very different views on the controversial decision

IT IS the controversial app that allows people to hail a ride and be on their journey in just minutes.

But Transport for London announced this morning that Uber will not be given another private hire operator licence to run its business in the capital, after its current one expires on September 30, over safety fears.

6

They said Uber in London is "not fit and proper" to hold the licence but the tech firm is going to appeal the decision.

If they lose the appeal, Londoners will no longer be able to get an Uber - but the move has been welcomed by black cab drivers who have long campaigned against the private hire company.

But was the decision not to renew Uber's licence in London right? Here two very different organisations tell us what they think...

Sam Dumitriu is a research economist at the Adam Smith Institute think tank. He has slammed TfL's decision not to renew Uber's operating licence.

This decision is not about safety, it is about protecting the market share for black cab drivers even thought they don't offer a better service or competitive prices.

There are three main reasons why Londoners use Uber.

6

6

1. It is much quicker than waiting for a black cab and they will pick you up anywhere, not just on a main road.

2. They are also a lot cheaper than if you were to use a black cab.

3. People actually think that it is safer than a black cab because they know every journey is logged, they are being tracked by GPS and they're immediately asked for feedback. In fact Uber drivers have to undergo the exact same safety checks to be able to work, the same as black cab drivers.

The reality is that if Uber can't operate in London, people will have to wait longer for cabs, pay much higher prices and some might even put their safety in jeopardy by choosing to walk home after a night out.

The reality is that if Uber can't operate in London, people will have to wait longer for cabs and pay much higher prices

Sam Dumitriu, Adam Smith Institute

Just over a year ago, Sadiq Khan said that London was open for business but this decision today shows exactly the opposite. It looks like London is closed to entrepreneurs, innovation and competition.

He also keeps talking about London's night time economy. But how are people meant to get home if they don't live near a night tube or bus stop?

6

But its not just that, there are 40,000 drivers who chose to work for Uber due to its flexibility and people can fit their work around time with their families and other commitments.

Now they will be left worried about where they will get work from and how they will support themselves and their families. It is ridiculous.

Steve McNamara is the general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA). He is delighted with today's decision.

The LTDA is pleased that the Mayor and Transport for London made the right choice and refused to re-licence Uber.

The firm repeatedly exploits its drivers, and has no consideration for the safety of its passengers.

This decision is long overdue and is the only way to ensure passenger and public safety.

The taxi trade already supports technological innovation in the market.

6

6

Passengers across London can hail black cabs via the Gett and mytaxi apps, and from January all new black cabs will be zero emissions capable.

This is fundamentally a public safety issue.

Over the summer the Metropolitan Police wrote to TfL highlighting that Uber has been failing to report serious criminal offences, and urged them not to re-licence the operator.

The firm exploits its drivers and has no consideration for the safety of its passengers

Steve McNamara, general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association

These concerns were echoed in a letter to TfL, from a cross party group of MPs.

Uber has unsurprisingly launched a legal challenge against TfL, undermining its attempts to protect Londoners.

We will urge the court to uphold this decision as the only way to ensure public safety.