I assume their strategy for profitability now, in the UK at least, is just take VC money until driverless cars are legalised.
Really? I find them at least a third cheaper than taxis in London for any trip over about five minutes.
I still feel guilty for taking an Uber (and note the difference in ability and knowledge immediately compared to black cabs). I'll be more inclined to take them, even with less of a saving, knowing that they are not allowed to treat their drivers quite so poorly.
The cab drivers sat in traffic, the Uber drivers were alerted and rerouted. I arrived on time and with a smaller bill. Sure a black cab driver could have done that with smartphone alerts but none of them seem to make use of them - perhaps it's due to professional pride derived from passing the famously difficult "Knowledge" exams.
Finally, black cabs are horrible if you're a cyclist, whereas Uber drivers are by-and-large no different from any other driver.
I'm glad the Uber drivers have better employment status now but aside from the horrible misfortune of having bought a hackney license, I don't really have too much sympathy for Black Cab drivers.
They're much cheaper than black cabs in Manchester too, but still about equivalent to private hire companies, surge pricing aside.