UK: Uber avoids car pick-up app restrictions in London

Uber has won a major victory in London after Transport for London dropped the most damaging proposals for the popular minicab-hailing app.

The service had faced a massive crackdown in the capital, after the transport body proposed a series of rules such as a minimum five-minute wait time between ordering and beginning a ride.

On Wednesday, London’s mayor Boris Johnson said that these ideas “did not find widespread support” and would not be pursued any further. Instead, TfL said it would consider making minicabs pay the London congestion fee, and charging big operators like Uber more for a minicab licence.

Mr Johnson said that regulators cannot “disinvent the internet”. Uber, which had previously warned that the proposals would threaten the service’s future in London, said the decision was “a victory for common sense”.

“We’re pleased Transport for London has listened to the views of passengers and drivers, dropping the bonkers ideas proposed last year like compulsory five minute wait times and banning showing cars in apps.

Full content: The Financial Times

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