Those numbers include uber drivers, minicab drivers AND black cab drivers all lumped into one - they are people who described their occupation as "taxi driver" or some derivative.
It is fair to say that regulation in London has generally tended towards safer experiences for all.
I was in a car the other day where the driver bemoaned the paperwork. He came to London in the 1980s without knowing English and bought a car for £200 that had six months MOT left on it and would likely be scrapped at that point, and was operating as a driver the next day.
Now cars can't be older than 10 years, are MOT'ed every 6 months, the drivers are all having to do English proficiency tests for safety reasons, and as a result the whole system is better and safer.
Uber is actively trying to skirt around regulations, and is - in the eyes of the London police - not doing enough to protect women from sexual assault and rape compared to other operators, including other private hire and black cab operators.
They are undoubtedly doing so because of their data and experiences relating specifically to Uber as an operator, and not because they don't like Uber.
As such, Uber should be forced to respond by either amending, or ceasing operations. The regulator is doing their job.
And we need to be clear here: the number one reason the Police and TfL are giving are that you are far more likely to be raped by an Uber driver than you are a driver for another firm or black cab driver - if that were not the case, they'd be suspending licenses elsewhere too/instead.
"I was in a car the other day where the driver bemoaned the paperwork." ... again, I was in a black cab a while back, and the guy parked between the two lanes in the middle of the road, then ran off to pee in a nearby hotel. On his way out, he just said, "if somebody stops, just say it was an emergency" — same guy also didn't want to accept credit card as the ride was under 20 pounds, and "he stopped the meter a few minutes early to make up for his brief pee-stop."
Anecdotal (mine is also 100% true, I am not kidding).
I am with you, on the fact that Uber needs to get their shit together, 100%, absolutely right.
But the number 32 is a tricky one — it's rape allegations (while clearly 32 too many, and I am really, really not saying this is not bad) — 32 allegations, not drivers. John Worboys (black cab, prosecuted), targeted 14 women alone, with police estimating 102 cases total, David Perry (prosecuted, 2 cases), etc.
"The regulator is doing their job." — YES!
"Uber should be forced to respond by either amending, or ceasing operations" - YES!
"Those numbers include uber drivers, minicab drivers AND black cab drivers all lumped into one" - YES!
"The number one reason the Police and TfL are giving are that you are far more likely to be raped by an Uber driver than you are a driver for another firm or black cab driver" - NO.
It is fair to say that regulation in London has generally tended towards safer experiences for all.
I was in a car the other day where the driver bemoaned the paperwork. He came to London in the 1980s without knowing English and bought a car for £200 that had six months MOT left on it and would likely be scrapped at that point, and was operating as a driver the next day.
Now cars can't be older than 10 years, are MOT'ed every 6 months, the drivers are all having to do English proficiency tests for safety reasons, and as a result the whole system is better and safer.
Uber is actively trying to skirt around regulations, and is - in the eyes of the London police - not doing enough to protect women from sexual assault and rape compared to other operators, including other private hire and black cab operators.
They are undoubtedly doing so because of their data and experiences relating specifically to Uber as an operator, and not because they don't like Uber.
As such, Uber should be forced to respond by either amending, or ceasing operations. The regulator is doing their job.
And we need to be clear here: the number one reason the Police and TfL are giving are that you are far more likely to be raped by an Uber driver than you are a driver for another firm or black cab driver - if that were not the case, they'd be suspending licenses elsewhere too/instead.