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Fuuuuuck. Such a beautiful building. The library is amazing. Or was amazing. Being that it was made out of wood I don't suppose there's much chance of it surviving that. Terrible.

I might be completely off on this but it seems like one group throwing their toys out of the pram because they're losing their monopoly? Am I wrong?
Angry London cabbies attack Hailo taxi app office

See also Uber. Germany and Melbourne/Sydney? have ruled against it or started issuing fines to people offering lifts for cash.

But what are others peoples opinions about the cabbies' reactions?

Free market... but only when it suits us.

There's a load of problems. Uber, Hailo, Black cabs, Addison Lee, other private mini cabs and people who want to use Uber in there spare time unlicensed.

I'd like Uber if it wasn't funded by those who fund it, if it made less of a profit and was more of a community thing and if it could be integrated with Hailo so black cabs and other cabs can benefit.

So a cross between Hailo and Uber. Obviously the app should have some sort of level system, those weakly verified drivers get a level 1 for instance (just submitted there name, picture address and other details) and those licensed, a higher level. Cabbies who've passed 'the knowledge' etc the highest level. That way there's fair competition between everyone and those that are shit, die out.

'Hailer'

/registers domain

If I offer someone a lift and they pay me petrol money I think the government should keep their noses out of it.

For those of you interested in the background of Uber but who are willing to bypass the whole "Illuminiati/Evil Corporate money are the reason why it's so popular" load of cobblers can have a perusal of stories here. http://www.techdirt.com/blog/?company=uber

'the knoweldge' is pretty much pointless with map and gprs technology widely available. If they werent such an aggressive, nasty bunch I'd have a bit more sympathy for them. It also annoys me that they're allowed in bus lanes.

anachronistic crybabies who will go the way of the red pillar postbox and the routemaster bus. so long suckas!

Option 2 sounds suspiciously scientific. It'd never catch on in the States.

This: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/14/opinion/14mon2.html

tl;dr there is no such thing as a more humane murder. As long as the people die at the end they are all equally vicious and violent regardless of the appearance of blood. At least a firing squad is more honest without all of the 'peacefully slip to sleep'.

I think it comes down to uber having a great marketing campaign, and what appears to be fair prices. Everyone i know has a story to tell about getting over charged, or taken the long route in a Black Cab. I just don't buy this salt of the earth, i've done the knowledge codshit. Most people can't afford to take black cabs regularly and companies like Uber are democratising the market, it's a globalised world full of change, time to move with the times like the rest of us have to.

What happened to freedom of choice? Other markets don't have the government step in and run protection for them.

.

What happened to freedom of choice? Other markets don't have the government step in and run protection for them.

Except for most of the banking sector.

^^ what utter shit. you disagree with me, it must be because you're thick. classic jeez. classic cunt.

Just put him on ignore. All my threads are so much better now:

Someone useful: Something useful
Someone funny: Something funny
Jeez: .
Jeez: .
Jeez: .
Someone abusing Jeez: Abuse

See.

Except for most of the banking sector.

Too big to fail fail.

When do we get to take back our share of RBS I wonder?

Moronic statement. In a couple of years time no-one will have the choice to pay a small amount extra for a properly trained black cab because they will have been priced out of existence.

Doctors, nurses, teachers*, bus drivers, lawyers, dentists... numerous imprtant jobs where you need special qualifications.

Cab driving likewise is a job where you are often carting around vulnerable people who life is literally in their hands (as well as the public's lives). There is a lot to be said for making sure that the people doing the job have a lot to lose (2 years training wasted and a massively reduced ability to earn the same salary) if they fuck up through carelessness or malice.

I am not saying that I disagree with you completely. There is a lot to be said for competition. But to think that the market is the answer to all our problems if only the government would back out... not true, and only someone of limited inteligence would think that it was.

• ok not teachers, the current government doesn't believe that you need to learn how to teach before being entrusted with teaching our kids.
  
  

Bullshit statement. You can't see into the future any more than I can.

"inteligence".. really? Funny guy.

As to the point. it's a taxi service not our water or food supply or banking sector for that matter. They're already an overpriced boy's club so bring on the competition.

Most people who "play devil's advocate" (beyond being the type of person who ruins a good night at the pub) generally don't start their statements with "Moronic statement."

Yeah them 3 wheel black cab cunts always riding around the west end at 5mph with some tourist not knowing how much the fare is. They should do away with spaces for them to park for free.

Rickshaws/Black Cabs = both cunts all the same reasons

What happened to freedom of choice? Other markets don't have the government step in and run protection for them.

This was kind of my reaction. Why do they have more right to take me to the airport than Peter from Dulwich Cars? I have had overwhelmingly bad service* from black cabs, but I appreciate my journeys only account for a minute percentage of all cab journeys ever, so I prefer private firms. Anything that makes that easier is great IMO.

*does anyone else ever flag down a cab, tell them where you want to go only for them to drive off because they can't be arsed to take you there?

This was kind of my reaction. Why do they have more right to take me to the airport than Peter from Dulwich Cars? I have had overwhelmingly bad service* from black cabs, but I appreciate my journeys only account for a minute percentage of all cab journeys ever, so I prefer private firms. Anything that makes that easier is great IMO.

*does anyone else ever flag down a cab, tell them where you want to go only for them to drive off because they can't be arsed to take you there?

PETER FROM DULWICH CARS IS A R.A.P.I.S.T, that's why

And YOU are misogynist scum for supporting him!

Jeez, since you're an expert, what is the difference in regulation between black cab drivers and mini cab drivers? Beyond "Teh Knowledge". Because what you've insinuated above is that there is none. Which surprises me. But you're the expert on these things, it would seem.

'the knoweldge' is pretty much pointless with map and gprs technology widely available.

Not quite true, proper cabbies know a lot of shortcuts and sneaky ways around junctions that satnavs wouldn't show you.

If you ever see lots of black cabs going down a side road it's a good indication that it's a useful shortcut.