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| High Court case looks at how Uber operates in London | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The system used in London by app-based taxi service Uber is being called into question in a High Court case. | |
| Transport for London (TfL) and Uber are seeking guidance on whether the company's smartphones are considered meters, which are outlawed for private hire vehicles. | |
| The phones use GPS and external servers to calculate the cost of a journey. | The phones use GPS and external servers to calculate the cost of a journey. |
| Uber said the outcome would not affect the company's ability to operate in London. | |
| The app-based company allows users to order cars via their smartphones, which often arrive within minutes and can cost a fraction of the price of a black cab. | |
| It operates in Birmingham, Manchester, Merseyside, Newcastle, Leeds, Bristol and Sheffield in the UK, and in 60 countries across the world. | |
| London Mayor Boris Johnson said it would be "nuts" to ban the technology behind the app and called for black cabs and private hire companies to work together and "find a balance" for the benefit of the capital. | London Mayor Boris Johnson said it would be "nuts" to ban the technology behind the app and called for black cabs and private hire companies to work together and "find a balance" for the benefit of the capital. |
| Two day hearing | Two day hearing |
| TfL's barrister Martin Chamberlain said the point of law Mr Justice Ouseley at the High Court must decide was "narrow but difficult". | TfL's barrister Martin Chamberlain said the point of law Mr Justice Ouseley at the High Court must decide was "narrow but difficult". |
| He said the organisation had not considered the smartphone app unlawful from the outset, but that TfL needed clarification from the court as the point was "arguable". | He said the organisation had not considered the smartphone app unlawful from the outset, but that TfL needed clarification from the court as the point was "arguable". |
| Mr Chamberlain added: "TfL has formed a view. If the court takes a different view TfL intends to ensure the law as declared by this court is properly enforced." | Mr Chamberlain added: "TfL has formed a view. If the court takes a different view TfL intends to ensure the law as declared by this court is properly enforced." |
| A spokesman for Uber said: "We are looking forward to getting binding clarity on this issue in the High Court." | |
| Uber London Ltd, the Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association (LTDA) and Licensed Private Hire Car Association (LPHCA) will give their responses in the two-day hearing. | |
| The LTDA is asking the judge to rule that using a smartphone is unlawful as it said along with apps they operate as taximeters and it is not necessary for them to be "physically" attached to a vehicle to break the law. | The LTDA is asking the judge to rule that using a smartphone is unlawful as it said along with apps they operate as taximeters and it is not necessary for them to be "physically" attached to a vehicle to break the law. |
| LPHCA supports the LTDA's position, saying the app "is an attempt to circumvent the statutory prohibition on the use of a taximeter". | LPHCA supports the LTDA's position, saying the app "is an attempt to circumvent the statutory prohibition on the use of a taximeter". |