Uber support grows ahead of Transport for London consultation deadline
Business lobby group The Institute of Directors (IoD) has weighed in on the proposals to curtail car hire app Uber, branding them “unfriendly to entrepreneurialism, innovation and fair competition”.
Transport for London (TfL) has been seeking the views of organisations and individuals since September on whether it should bring in a raft of new rules for the industry, many of which would restrict Uber’s current operating model.
The IoD’s response will be followed by campaign group London First, who will be submitting its views in the “next week or so,” and is expected to reject many of the proposed measures.
The 25 separate proposals have been met with mixed reactions, with very few expecting some of the more extreme suggestions to be brought in.
The Licenced Taxi Drivers Association, one of Uber’s most ardent critics, said it does not expect the controversial ”five minute wait” rule to be brought into effect, recognising the lack of public support for such a proposal.
TfL claims the measure is designed to stop people getting in the wrong taxi but the IoD called the idea “absolute nonsense”.
Other proposals include English language tests for drivers and stricter licence checks. The consultation will close on 23 December and TfL’s final recommendations are due early in the new year.
Both Uber and the taxi industry are trying to shore up support ahead of the closing date.
Andy Silvester, head of campaigns at the IoD said:
TfL and the Mayor must appreciate the gravity of the situation, and choose competition over protectionism.