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Uber loses licence to operate in London, will still operate while appealing

(www.bbc.com)
256 points reubensutton | 8 comments | 25 Nov 19 10:19 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source | bottom
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Traster ◴[25 Nov 19 11:26 UTC] No.21627139[source]▶
It's pretty amazing how consistently Uber fails to abide by even the most basic regulations. How many times does a billion dollar company get a second chance? Every time this happens people talk about how the Mayor will get in trouble for this, but let's face it, ride hailing apps are 10 a penny. Lyft, Taxify, MyTaxi? No one in London is going to miss Uber.
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1. saberience ◴[25 Nov 19 12:02 UTC] No.21627327[source]▶
Do you even live in London? I love when people talk about a whole city in general terms like they can speak for millions of people.

Well get this, I live in London and I love Uber and I would definitely miss Uber if they stopped operating here. So your statement is wrong. In fact, our general slack channel at work had a ton of people posting sad faces about this news. But yeah sure I guess you know what every Londoner thinks...

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2. 98Windows ◴[25 Nov 19 12:15 UTC] No.21627414[source]▶
I live in London, there are plenty of alternatives to Uber, the only downside is they might be like 5-10% more expensive
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3. tolqen ◴[25 Nov 19 12:27 UTC] No.21627479[source]▶
What you said was correct a year ago but Kapten and Bolt exist now, they’re often the same fare or cheaper than Uber.
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4. user5994461 ◴[25 Nov 19 13:37 UTC] No.21627961{3}[source]▶
Bolt is funded by Chinese money. They're heavily subsidizing rides with that money to capture some of the market and they will have to raise prices eventually.
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5. Traster ◴[25 Nov 19 13:44 UTC] No.21628023[source]▶
Yes, thanks I do "even live in London". In fact, I've lived in and around London all my life. Uber is fine, it's about as great as any of the other identical apps, and frankly, is far worse than being familiar with the local public transport 99% of the time inside London.
6. toomuchtodo ◴[25 Nov 19 13:51 UTC] No.21628079{4}[source]▶
Uber is funded by Saudi money, same deal.
replies(1): >>21629916 #
7. user5994461 ◴[25 Nov 19 16:42 UTC] No.21629916{5}[source]▶
Uber is not free, it's way past the free stage.

I saw few acquaintances trying Bolt (in London) and the main argument is the first rides are free, then the next rides are free too if you refer a friend.

replies(1): >>21630092 #
8. toomuchtodo ◴[25 Nov 19 16:57 UTC] No.21630092{6}[source]▶
While not free, VC funds are still subsidizing Uber rides and driver incentives.