I am going to keep this short and simple.
There has been some positive activity recently by taxi trade organisations, mainly as a direct response to challenge Uber.
However the problem is not Uber
The problem is clear and simple to anyone who takes the time to analyse the facts.
The problem is unarguable CORRUPTION.
Most people who are corrupt do not wear a sign around their neck saying ’ I’m corrupt’
When challenged they do not readily admit ‘I’m corrupt’.
The facts are clear with the Uber situation. Uber are backed by multi national multi billion dollar companies. They have power that most people are unaware of.
Cameron told Johnson not to challenge Uber; the connection was clear by the fact that CEO of Uber was godparent to Cameron’s child.
That is corruption.
There are laws already in place that Uber does not comply with and those laws have not been enforced.
The reason that they have not been enforced is because of corruption. It’s that simple.
Engaging in lengthy political process to clarify definition of the laws that already exist and are not enforced by a corrupt TFL or to adapt those laws to stop improper activity by Uber is pointless.
Even if achieves its objectives this activity is futile. By the time it has done anything it will be too late.
Every week that goes by there are hundreds of new Uber drivers and hundreds of new Private Hire Licenses issued by TFL
This situation is not easily reversible; TFL are not going to suddenly revoke those tens of thousands of Private Hire licences and Uber are not going to suddenly sack their drivers.
Even if Uber is later shut down there will be another illegal app which the thousands of Uber drivers will switch to and then it will take months to shut that down
It is a one way process and every single day that passes the situation will become worse.
Tom Watson himself said the Parliamentary process is very slow and they are now in recess for 2 months.
The GLA published the Woefully Inadequate report in November last year and nothing has happened because they have no power to take action.
The SIMPLE SOLUTION AND THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS IMMEDIATE DIRECT ACTION. Anything else is pointless.
ALL of the issues that affect London TAXI Drivers have been caused by corruption, whether it’s Uber , the Taxi Age Limit (unarguable documented evidence of corruption), the exclusive money making position of certain trade orgs who do nothing to represent their members or complete lack of enforcement of Private Hire regulation.
The corruption needs to be exposed and it needs to happen NOW.
The GLA and Parliamentary Committees will spend months deliberating and then have no mechanism for resolving the issues.
There needs to be URGENT DIRECT ACTION EVERY DAY UNTIL THE UTTER CORRUPTION OF BORIS JOHNSON AND TFL IS EXPOSED BY THE MEDIA AND URGENT ACTION TAKEN TO STOP IT.
THE TAXI TRADE WILL CONTIUE TO DECLINE ON A DAILY BASIS UNTIL A PROPER AND FAIR SYSTEM OF MANAGEMENT IS IN PLACE.
IF THIS WAS HAPPENING IN FRANCE THEY WOULD TAKE DIRECT ACTION AND THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE FORCED TO MAKE IMMEDIATE CHANGES.
LONDON TAXI DRIVERS NEED TO DO THE SAME EVERY SINGLE DAY AND THEY NEED TO DO IT NOW!
