{"id":3883,"date":"2017-09-29T06:05:31","date_gmt":"2017-09-29T06:05:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/imjussayin.com\/blog\/?p=3883"},"modified":"2017-09-30T21:42:32","modified_gmt":"2017-09-30T21:42:32","slug":"uber-down-but-not-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/imjussayin.com\/blog\/uber-down-but-not-out\/","title":{"rendered":"Uber Down But Not Out"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"uber<\/a><\/p>\n

Dara Khosrowshahi, Ubers latest CEO is ushering in the return of a fresh, shiny Uber. \u00a0He began by making his apologies for their mistakes, although he doesn’t say what he is apologising for. \u00a0The apology alone is a departure from the arrogant approach of its former Chief Executive<\/a>. They are also signalling peace talks with TfL. It is a good public relations exercise. And 730,000 Londoners are backing them. I suspect that the authorities will return their licence. But it will be at our expense and Uber will be laughing all the way to the bank.<\/p>\n

We Need Uber (Not)<\/span><\/h2>\n

Politicians are expressing concerns at Uber’s 400,000 drivers livelihoods being at risk. But not about other drivers incomes affected by Uber, \u00a0or so many drivers chasing a limited market. They are silent on the pollution of London\u2019s already poor air quality from so many cars. And ignore that the drivers could find the same work with other companies.<\/p>\n

There are also members of the public who cannot remember life before Uber\u2019s \u2018life-changing\u2019 app. It is apparently cheap, quick and safe.<\/p>\n

Safety Last<\/span><\/h2>\n

Police figures suggest that the Uber drivers are connected to one sex attack a week<\/a> in London. And the failure to screen their drivers is an international<\/a> problem. \u00a0Uber has also continually failed<\/a> to tell the police about sexual assaults committed by some of their drivers.<\/p>\n

Surely, if Uber valued their customers, these issues would not be a persistent problem. The persistence is reason enough to keep them banned. But it is not the only reason.<\/p>\n

\"uber<\/a><\/p>\n

Cheap Fares At Our Expense<\/span><\/h2>\n

Uber seems a cheaper alternative. But, some drivers are working a 60-hour week to make a living. That should sound alarm bells.<\/p>\n

However, Uber says they contract drivers on a self-employed basis. \u00a0And they are appealing a court ruling to the contrary. The current arrangement means that the company avoids paying thousands of drivers benefits like holiday pay and offering protection rights.<\/p>\n

The self-employed status of drivers denies the Treasury VAT revenue.\u00a0Drivers can only charge it if their income reaches the legal threshold. However, drivers employed by Uber would charge VAT.<\/p>\n

Uber is ordinarily liable for VAT, but any that may be payable is avoided because they use their Dutch subsidiary, UberBV for tax purposes.<\/p>\n

So, employment and tax abuse subside cheap fares.<\/p>\n

\"uber<\/a><\/h2>\n

Monopoly<\/span><\/h2>\n

Anyway, cheap fares are a ruse. Hubert Horam<\/a>, a transport specialist, has made a study of Uber\u2019s numbers and found that for every $1 Uber earns, they lose $1.40. It is part of their strategy for global dominance<\/a>.<\/p>\n

They are eating up the market share. In just eight years Uber conquered 81 countries. So, when they do introduce their driverless cars, they will be in the dominant position. \u00a0And I wonder if the politicians will protest just as strongly then for driver\u2019s rights!<\/p>\n

Uber has a reserve of $70 billion. It cushions against losses, and however many court cases come their way.<\/p>\n

Uber came to Britain confident. They had a most comfortable relationship with the Tories<\/a>. They have played by their own rules; using Greyball technology which can hide business details from the police and regulators<\/a>. \u00a0The software allows Uber to show selected users a different view of their standard app. They say it is for testing purposes.<\/p>\n

TfL under Boris Johnson a Tory Mayor appears to have\u00a0bent, ripped up and destroyed rules to accommodate. \u00a0Like London\u2019s black cabs long-standing agreement. \u00a0So, although Theresa May sees Uber\u2019s licence withdrawal as disproportionate, I do not!<\/p>\n

And unless government introduce an initiative like Khan\u2019s Cars<\/a>, a mutually owned taxi platform benefiting drivers and user. I fully expect the return of this predator corporation, its monopoly, and extortionate fares.<\/p>\n

imjussayin<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Uber Used Secret Tool ‘Greyball’ To Deceive Authorities<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n