Clive has written to Peter Hendy, the TfL commissioner, demanding that he take action against the use of the Uber app by minicab companies.

Clive has pointed out to Mr Hendy that the use of Uber completely undermines the legal definitions which underpin London’s taxi regulations.

Clive explains; “London’s licensed taxi drivers are rightly regarded as the world’s finest and the black cab is an icon of this city. Uber must be stopped from leading a race to the bottom which can only in the end undermine existing safeguards for the travelling public.  I believe that the App is clearly designed to function as a meter and I am entirely opposed to TfL’s refusal to take action against the use of Uber by minicabs.  I think the app is clearly a taxi meter which calculates fares based on distance and time taken.  This seems to me to be clearly against the current regulations.”

“If TfL continue to allow Uber to be used in this way then I believe that we will see the end of the licensed taxi industry in London as we know it, and have instead a completely deregulated taxi and private hire market. This will lead to the loss of all the safety gains for the travelling public provided by London’s licensed taxis – especially since the 1998 London Private Hire Vehicles Act.”

The legality of the Uber app is to be tested in the High Court but Clive does not believe that this justifies TfL simply shrugging its shoulders and allowing Uber to continue to operate in this way until the case is resolved.