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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/sep/22/the-guardian-view-on-uber-in-london-obey-the-rules

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The Guardian view on Uber in London: obey the rules The Guardian view on Uber in London: obey the rules
(3 days later)
The decision by Transport for London to withdraw Uber’s operating licence in the capital – it continues unhindered in its 19 other UK centres – feels like a catastrophe for its 40,000 drivers and for many of the 3.5 million people who use it every day. For Uber, it is a battle over the nature of its business – ride-sharing app or, as TfL says, a minicab firm subject to the same rules as other minicab operators. But in the bigger picture, this is a potentially defining confrontation between the demand for cheap services and the power of the regulator. The decision by Transport for London to withdraw Uber’s operating licence in the capital – it continues unhindered in its 19 other UK centres – feels like a catastrophe for its 40,000 drivers and for many of the 3.5 million people who it claims are registered users. For Uber, it is a battle over the nature of its business – ride-sharing app or, as TfL says, a minicab firm subject to the same rules as other minicab operators. But in the bigger picture, this is a potentially defining confrontation between the demand for cheap services and the power of the regulator.
In a city where the cost of housing means many people travel long distances to work unsocial hours for low pay, Uber’s low fares and generally prompt service have been a lifeline. To them, TfL will look as if it has bowed down to pressure from the capital’s infamously protectionist black cabs. But Uber, reluctantly complying with TfL’s rule, is accused of failing to take passenger safety as seriously as it should, and using a software programme, Greyball, to foil scrutiny (which Uber denies). It has three weeks to appeal, and until the case is resolved, it can continue operating. If it wants to go on doing business in London in the long term, it has a straightforward remedy – obey the rules. In a city where the cost of housing means many people travel long distances to work unsocial hours for low pay, Uber’s low fares and generally prompt service have been a lifeline. To them, TfL will look as if it has bowed down to pressure from the capital’s infamously protectionist black cabs. But Uber, reluctantly complying with TfL’s rule, is accused of failing to take passenger safety as seriously as it should, and using a software programme, Greyball, to foil scrutiny (which Uber denies). It has three weeks to appeal, and until the case is resolved, it can continue operating. If it wants to go on doing business in London in the long term, it has a straightforward remedy – obey the rules.
Uber has a bigger and more fundamental problem, bigger even than the offensive conduct of its founder, Travis Kalanick, who resigned in June under pressure from investors. Even more than most, Uber has to keep its investors sweet: it is reputed to be the most lossmaking private company in tech history. Uber has a bigger and more fundamental problem, bigger even than the offensive conduct of its founder, Travis Kalanick, who resigned in June under pressure from investors. Even more than most, Uber has to keep its investors sweet: it is reputed to be the most lossmaking private company in tech history.
Meeting TfL’s demands may mean higher fares, or a yet more distant prospect of profit. Many Uber users trust and rely on the app when public transport is out of reach. Over 200,000 have signed an online petition. Although some of its drivers are fighting for better pay and conditions, and complain they can’t even make the minimum wage, others value the work. Low price or decent protection: a defining question of the age. Meeting TfL’s demands may mean higher fares, or a yet more distant prospect of profit. Many Uber users trust and rely on the app when public transport is out of reach. Over 200,000 have signed an online petition. Although some of its drivers are fighting for better pay and conditions, and complain they can’t even make the minimum wage, others value the work. Low price or decent protection: a defining question of the age.
This article was corrected on 25 September 2017. Uber claims to have 3.5 million registered users in London, not that 3.5 million people use its service every day in the capital.