In an interview in the US, Uber CEO Travis Kalanick referred to Taxis as "Assholes". He also said that Taxis were " Dark, Dangerous and Evil".
“We’re in a political campaign, and the candidate is Uber and the opponent is an asshole named Taxi,” Kalanick said. “Nobody likes him, he’s not a nice character, but he’s so woven into the political machinery and fabric that a lot of people owe him favors.”
Think Uber’s going to take the high road?
No such luck. The company is looking to hire a senior executive who has run political campaigns, or who has run cities, Kalanick said. “We have to bring out the truth about how dark and dangerous and evil the taxi side is.”
The Mayor Boris Johnson, has also defended Uber saying they knock Hailo into a cocked hat. When told about the reaction of Taxi trades around the world he said:
"It seems we have another peasants revolt, wielding their cudgels".
Is this how the Mayor views the "Best Taxi Service In The World", as no more than peasants?
Last night on BBC radio London, TfL's Leon Daniels sickeningly defended the controversial actions of Uber.
A company which never should have been licensed in the first place.
A company that did not meet with all conditions required by the Private Hire Vehicles act 1998.
A company that had no landline to take bookings
A company that had no Central London base which recorded all booking details, ready for inspection by compliance teams.
A company who's drivers illegally use a Taximeter to calculate fares.
It's also wrong to say no other company would have received a licence to operate without meeting the conditions of the 1998 act, because they have. And Taxi Leaks has proved this.
TfL are not fit for purpose.
EDITORIAL COMMENR:
It's not what's true, is what people believe is true that matters
Uber say their drivers smart phones are not a meter
TfL defend the use of Uber's smart phones saying in their opinion, they are not a meter.
The Taxi trade say Uber's smart phones are being used as a Taxi meter
So what do the public think.
It's obvious that the public believe Uber cars use a Taxi meter. Pricing calculated on time and distance, exactly what a Taximeter is used for.