London Mayor's £65m taxi plans rattle Uber
Uber has accused London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, of discriminating against its drivers after he announced a plan to improve taxi services in the capital by introducing up to 100 new taxi ranks and awarding £65m ($86m) in grants for black taxi drivers to trade-in older polluting cars for more fuel-efficient models. The mayor also reiterated plans to enforce English language tests for ride-hail drivers and tighten regulations regarding their insurance. Uber claims the new policies show favouritism toward cab drivers and has called on customers in London to email the mayor to criticise and object to the plans.
S adiq Khan has announced a raft of measures to help the capital’s black cab trade compete against Uber, including increasing taxi ranks and opening up more bus lanes.

The Mayor’s action plan will increase ranks around the city from 500 to 600 over the next four years and allow 20 extra bus lanes to be used by cabbies.

He also wants the test that black cab drivers must pass to obtain a licence - known as The Knowledge - to be accredited as a formal qualification, potentially enabling applicants to apply for study loans.

Transport for London will feature taxi information in its online journey planners by summer 2017 and from next year grants worth up to £5,000 will be available to black cab drivers who scrap the oldest and most polluting taxis.

Mr Khan's plan also signals his intention to push ahead with new rules for private hire drivers.

These include requiring drivers to pass an English test, more robust insurance regulations and ensuring driver and vehicle details including a photo of the driver are given to customers before the start of each journey.

Earlier this month Uber was given the green light for a High Court challenge against TfL over the language rule, which would mean all drivers undergoing reading, writing and listening tests.

Mr Khan said: "Our new taxi and private hire action plan will help us deliver a truly world-class service for Londoners and create a vibrant taxi and private hire market where all providers can continue to flourish.

Sadiq Khan: The first 100 days

"From my first day at City Hall I have been determined to drive up standards and improve safety for every passenger in London, while protecting the future of our iconic black cabs that provide a unique and invaluable service for Londoners."

Val Shawcross, deputy mayor for transport, said: "New measures such as opening up extra bus lanes and increasing the number of taxi ranks will help ensure our black cabs continue to thrive, and our proposals also include ground-breaking incentives to create the greenest taxi fleet in the world.

Deputy Mayor for Transport Val Shawcross launches electric buses

"A key part of our plan is to push ahead with important new measures to enhance public safety, including quadrupling the number of on-street compliance officers and requiring that private hire drivers pass an advanced driving test before they're licensed."

But Tom Elvidge, general manager of Uber in London, attacked the plan. He said: “These proposals favour black cabs and discriminate against drivers who use apps like Uber.

While black cabs will get £65million from the taxpayer, the mayor is piling extra costs and red tape onto licensed private hire drivers.

"This plan will cost drivers who use Uber hundreds of pounds and thousands may lose their livelihoods as a result. Fewer drivers will mean longer waiting times for passengers.”

The plan is available to view online.