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What is This Claim About?
A group of taxi drivers who are licensed to work in London allege that Uber has operated unlawfully in London from 2012 through 2017, causing them to lose income. They are pursuing a group action in an attempt to hold Uber accountable for its actions and to potentially recover damages for their lost income due to Uber’s allegedly unlawful operation in London.
Who’s Eligible?
Any taxi driver licensed by Transport for London to work in London, and who operated as a licensed taxi driver at any point between mid-2012 and December 2017 or later is eligible to express their interest in joining the group action.
How Much Compensation Will I Receive?
If the London taxi driver group action is successful, participants may be entitled to receive payment for their lost income they experienced due to Uber’s allegedly unlawful operation in London. Damages are expected to be in excess of £500 million.
How Do I Join?
To join the London Cabbie group action, you can sign up to express your interest with RGL Management Ltd.
London Cabbie Group Action to Accuse Uber of Unlawful Operation
Licensed taxi drivers in London are joining together to bring a London cabbie group action against Uber for the loss of income they experienced due to Uber’s allegedly unlawful operation in London from 2012 through 2017.
The group action will allege that Uber’s operation in London was intended to negatively affect the licensed taxi trade.
The London Cabbie Action Group has been established to bring the group claim. They will be represented by Mishcon de Reya. Harbour Litigation Funding has agreed to fund the cab drivers’ group action.
The London Cabbie Action Group is currently reaching out to licensed cab drivers in London and encouraging them to register their interest to join the group action. They will then form a representative committee of drivers that will make decisions and provide instructions to the legal team on behalf of the taxi drivers.
The group action will seek to show the court that licensed taxi drivers suffered a significant loss of income when Uber entered the London market. It is possible that damages could exceed £500 million, but the actual value of the group action will depend on the total number of licensed taxi drivers who participate.
Uber Faced Potential Ban in London over Safety Concerns
Uber’s operating license has reportedly been revoked twice over safety concerns in the last three years. However, Uber has been allowed to continue operating in London while the company appeals the decisions.
In November 2019, Transport for London reportedly revoked the company’s taxi license after determining Uber failed to meet the “fit and proper” standard required to hold the license.
In September, a judge restored Uber’s transportation license in London after finding the ride-hailing company had taken appropriate measures to address regulators’ concerns, such as implementing new safety measures that prevent unauthorized and uninsured drivers from using the Uber platform to transport passengers.
Regulators had previously threatened to potentially ban Uber from operating its ride-hailing service over safety concerns.
Tan Ikram, a deputy chief magistrate, reportedly found that Uber had satisfied a “fit and proper” standard to receive a license to operate in London for 18 months. During this time, Uber must submit periodic safety reports which will allow authorities to monitor the company’s practices.
In his decision, Ikram noted that Uber “does not have a perfect record, but it has been an improving picture.”
“I am satisfied that they are doing what a reasonable business in their sector could be expected to do, perhaps even more.”
According to information Uber submitted to the court, the ride-hailing service typically has up to 45,000 drivers on the road in London who provide millions of rides every month.
Pandemic Restrictions Make Matters Worse for London Cabbies
London Cabbies have also suffered a major drop in business due to the coronavirus pandemic. Travel restrictions, curfews and stay-at-home orders have dramatically halted London’s tourism sector and as a result limited the demand for taxis.
A fifth of London’s cabbies have reportedly been taken off the road with the livelihood of more than 21 thousand cabbies at risk. According to The New York Times, Cabbie drivers are only averaging about a quarter of pre-pandemic fares.
Approximately one-thousand drivers have already thrown in the towel, returning their iconic black cabs to the company. In fact, so many cabs were reportedly returned that the company had to rent space in a field to store hundreds of the black cabs.
Steve McNamara, general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association, told reporters that he calls it “the field of broken dreams.”
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