UFGN wrote:starmandb wrote:Phil71 wrote:Went abroad on business last year. Got an UBER from my house to Heathrow - cost £69.
When I returned I got a black cab and did the same journey. £165.
Luckily it was on expenses.
Lucky there wasn't a terrorist attack cos the prices would have surged
Lucky the apps were working or they wouldn't have had a clue where to go
Nice to know that a company paying minimal tax can pay slave labour to a driver
Sadly I still have to pay my full lot plus the expenses it takes to run a vehicle that I made a commitment to as a trade.
Starman far be it from me to besmirch your profession but I find it a little hard to believe that a business involving quite a lot of cash, and no oversight of that cash, wouldn't be a little creative with the old tax
Uber is shit. Everything about it is shit. But unless you compete with it more effectively it will finish off black cabs. The single biggest reason people don't use black cabs more is the cost. It's always a nervous experience getting in one if you're paying with your own money.
At the moment the black taxi industry reminds me of where HMV was 10 years ago. Carry on regardless, still charge £13 for a CD. You know how that ends.
Mate there is creative tax avoidance making the job workable for a self employed man and there is a huge company paying minimal offshore taxes and taking the piss out of all of us.
I agree that on certain fares a licensed taxi is far too expensive but one reason is the sheer amount of vehicles on London's roads and the amount of road closures . Traffic lights staying red for too long etc
During holiday times and the like it's staggering how much cheaper the rides can go
I think uber are a serious threat to the cab trade
There is a marked fall off in people now doing the knowledge
I have 8 years left on my mortgage and hoping the job gets me over the line
I am buying older vehicles inheriting someone else's problems as I have not got the faith in tucking myself up with a 60 grand vehicle plus interest that has not had time to find out if it works properly
People are getting 60 miles out of the electric vehicle before needing to recharge ( less if using the wipers , lights heater etc) it's not really in our gift to change
We have to drive the vehicle that tfl license
Cameron and his cronies gave uber a free ride because of family ties
You know those old school ties that stop anyone from rising above their station?