What happened during the January 22nd, 2020, 5:00 PM downtown 3rd & Pine shooting aftermath is as much about the city of Seattle and as it is about Uber and Lyft's unfortunate response---overcharging panicked customers fleeing the area. What everyone has since found out is that the two remaining shooting suspects, William Ray Tolliver and Marquise Latrelle Tolbert, had many previous arrests, Tolliver arrested 50 times, with Tolbert 24 times over the past few years. And the reason for Uber and Lyft's price gouging during this crisis were apps governed by algorithms electronically (and mindlessly) setting rates based upon demand regardless of why passenger demand is generated.
By this time, Uber lack of morality is well known, caring only about money and little else, all and any repercussions be damned. While both Uber and Lyft are offering refunds, it is obvious this kind of price surging will reoccur again and again across the globe, nothing changing, the companies holding no interest in modifying their behavior. That is the way it is. What I am really saying is, don't believe self-serving apologies applied as media bandages, assuaging self-afflicted wounds.
And in reflection, the shooting displays Seattle and King County's usual and typical governmental response to real issues affecting the overall city, spotlighting its present and ongoing tolerance of open criminal activity in around 3rd & Pine and greater downtown, irritating anyone witnessing what now is commonplace---blatant drug selling and verbal and physical assaults centered around the area MacDonalds. Why fear arrest when you know you will be quickly released, leading to what occurred: indiscriminate shooting killing one innocent bystander and wounding seven others. None of this is surprising and here is why.
The City and County government in total decided years ago, and I am including successive mayors, county executives, and city and county councils, to prioritize the unnecessary while ignoring real and serious issues afflicting the region. This kind of decision making is manifest everywhere, from building bike lanes while traffic continues to clog city streets, to allowing the dismantling of a multiple story construction crane on Mercer Street during busy, daylight traffic, the crane crashing down and killing two drivers, this and many other examples displaying a severe lack of thought and careful planning.
"Why do it right when instead, far more fun doing it wrong," seems to their blaring credo, a kind of blind operational advice for the governmentally stunted. This kind of behavior also seen in the continual building of traffic intersection barriers upon residential streets, impeding normal traffic flow and knocking cars out of alignment. Instead of partnering with the State of Washington to develop more stringent driver licensing standards, and indeed make everyone truly safer, the City of Seattle plants trees and flowering scrubs in the middle of the street, achieving little more than aggravation while not improving driving skills or civility, the same issues festering and extant, worsening by the minute.
And yes, who opened the floodgates to Uber and Lyft, encouraging their reckless, corporate behavior? You know who, the very same individuals letting emotionally damaged young men repeatedly roam Seattle's downtown streets---fighting, selling drugs and randomly shooting people.
If this is progressive and liberal policy at its best, then perhaps an alternative is necessary, like using commonsense as your guide minus harebrained theory. Who knows, maybe admitting the truth will truly set us all free, free that is to come up with real and permanent solutions assisting and aiding all involved equally. Could that be any worse than the now usual Seattle talk, talk talk resulting in spinning circles going round and round and round ad nauseam?
I don't think so, or like the City of Seattle and King County, perhaps I am just not thinking?
Monday, January 27, 2020
Sunday, January 19, 2020
Aliened by Poverty & No, Olaf, No! & How Did The Cabbie Not Know It Was Snowing In The Mountains?
If anyone doesn't know, poverty makes people crazy, altering behavior and actions. I say this because its clear many don't understand this obvious connection between cultural messaging and resultant behavior but immersed as I am daily in our prevalent, actionable society, not only do I see it, I am personally affected. Case in point was a call this week to a decrepit apartment complex located in the 6600 block of Corson Avenue South. Simply by talking on the telephone, I expected trouble due to not being told the exact location of their apartment, the complex a ramshackle, somewhat sprawling collection of broken down units masquerading as something other than prison cells. They needed to put some items in the trunk, with the husband/boyfriend sarcastic when I didn't acknowledge the box contained a flat screen TV they were returning to the Renton Walmart.
Turning right out of the driveway, making my logical way to southbound I-5, the gentleman said I was going the wrong way, implying I was instantaneously cheating them. Giving them one opportunity to calm down and continue, he refused to relent, prompting me to take them back to where we had started. Raising the volume, the accusations grew, knowing minus any doubt I was a thief. Beyond saying "What did you want to pay?" truly not caring one way or the other the route taken, chiefly interested in taxi efficiency and little else.
I present this only to say, poverty is alienating, affecting all who encounter it. Did I want to hurt this couple on any level in any manner whatsoever? No, not at all, only wanting to get them quickly from point A to B as a relative was waiting for me at Harborview Hospital after an earlier day surgery. But the husband knew, having been repeatedly kicked, that I was just another someone, anyone out to do him harm. How could there be any argument?
Too Many Drunks Upon A Post-Seahawk Defeat Sunday
Were the fans drowning their sorrows, their gridiron heroes having lost their playoff game earlier in the day? Perhaps they were, encountering three in a row while snow fell, the second drunk literally carried to my cab from Olaf's Tavern in Ballard, attempting to give me their over-served problem as I quickly drove off, leaving them to it, whatever they wanted to do or not with their inebriated buddy.
Just prior to him I spent a good 45 minutes with a staggering drunk who couldn't remember her debit card pin code. Why did I allow her into the cab? More than once, when sane and sober, I have given her rides from Ballard to a favorite Capital Hill restaurant. Tonight she was drunk and leaving a casino, clearly tragedy taking hold. Yes, she was trouble but had earned credit which I cashed in, even assisting her to the door, doing what I can when reason and commonsense calls for an extra dose of empathy---vital oxygen to the momentarily afflicted.
Hey Stupid! Dial 511 or listen to KOMO radio every 4 on the hour
Saturday, dispatch was asking for a cab with chains after a cabbie dolt loaded up a Hopelink fare to Yakima utterly oblivious to the reality that greater Western Washington was experiencing snow, and that chains were required to get over the I-90 pass. That he wasted everyone's time, including his own says everything, so why should I comment further, having already said it?
Turning right out of the driveway, making my logical way to southbound I-5, the gentleman said I was going the wrong way, implying I was instantaneously cheating them. Giving them one opportunity to calm down and continue, he refused to relent, prompting me to take them back to where we had started. Raising the volume, the accusations grew, knowing minus any doubt I was a thief. Beyond saying "What did you want to pay?" truly not caring one way or the other the route taken, chiefly interested in taxi efficiency and little else.
I present this only to say, poverty is alienating, affecting all who encounter it. Did I want to hurt this couple on any level in any manner whatsoever? No, not at all, only wanting to get them quickly from point A to B as a relative was waiting for me at Harborview Hospital after an earlier day surgery. But the husband knew, having been repeatedly kicked, that I was just another someone, anyone out to do him harm. How could there be any argument?
Too Many Drunks Upon A Post-Seahawk Defeat Sunday
Were the fans drowning their sorrows, their gridiron heroes having lost their playoff game earlier in the day? Perhaps they were, encountering three in a row while snow fell, the second drunk literally carried to my cab from Olaf's Tavern in Ballard, attempting to give me their over-served problem as I quickly drove off, leaving them to it, whatever they wanted to do or not with their inebriated buddy.
Just prior to him I spent a good 45 minutes with a staggering drunk who couldn't remember her debit card pin code. Why did I allow her into the cab? More than once, when sane and sober, I have given her rides from Ballard to a favorite Capital Hill restaurant. Tonight she was drunk and leaving a casino, clearly tragedy taking hold. Yes, she was trouble but had earned credit which I cashed in, even assisting her to the door, doing what I can when reason and commonsense calls for an extra dose of empathy---vital oxygen to the momentarily afflicted.
Hey Stupid! Dial 511 or listen to KOMO radio every 4 on the hour
Saturday, dispatch was asking for a cab with chains after a cabbie dolt loaded up a Hopelink fare to Yakima utterly oblivious to the reality that greater Western Washington was experiencing snow, and that chains were required to get over the I-90 pass. That he wasted everyone's time, including his own says everything, so why should I comment further, having already said it?
Sunday, January 12, 2020
If You Really Want Us To Accept The Fare, Here Are Some Simple Suggestions & The Real Reason Why Larry Gossett Lost His KC Council Seat
Today my blog is directed toward one particular group, and that is the folks collectively making up Puget Sound Dispatch ( Seattle Yellow Cab) and those in charge of dispatching the calls (bells) to the taxi fleet. While they don't seem to realize it, what we have here is a failure to communicate, that is, to accurately and correctly send out account fares in a manner allowing us to understand where the call is, and whether it makes any sense to accept the fare. And it isn't that PSD doesn't understand this, because when an airport run is dispatched, the word "Airport" is always attached to the initial fare offering, clearly communicating that its both an important and good fare, ensuring of course that the call is quickly accepted and attended to.
Yes, a very simple and effective method guaranteeing the customer will get to their flight on time. That they don't take this commonsense approach with equally important account time calls is something that should change, and here are my suggestions on how it should be done, and in the end, making PSD, the cabbie and the account customer very happy.
When the fare is offered, the following steps should be taken:
1) Like the "airport" designation, designate that it is a good fare, for example, if it is going somewhere in Eastern Washington , mark it with an "E WA," telling the cabbie that its a fare you want to have. Another major reason for providing this kind of information is that Seattle's horrible traffic means you sometimes need to have a good reason to battle traffic getting to that fare 4 miles away, not making good sense on any level accepting a "far away bell" when its going to take you 20 minutes of hard driving to get there, all for $5.00.
By labelling the call in some positive way----"Good Fare" or "$100.00 plus Fare" or "Going to Kent," it will enable the cabbie to make quick, coherent decisions. That PSD is currently unhappy is signaled by their telling you, once the call is rejected, that you just lost a $40.00 run, etc. Personally, I find this kind of response insulting because none of us cabbies want to "throw away money," PSD's actions a kind of "sticking their tongue out," taunting for not accepting the fare, implying minus any doubt they think (and know) I am an idiot.
2) Provide part of the address when the fare is offered, again providing us necessary information. That this is now sometimes done suggests it is something that should occur 100% of the time. Again, given Seattle's traffic congestion, it is something I need to know.
3) Provide the time-call time. Say I am in Zone 190, and I am offered an account time call at 4:00 PM in Zone 105, and I see the info "Time Call Due in 30 minutes," telling me that I will have the time to make it without "killing myself," fighting the damn traffic to the pickup address.
And, ladies and gentlemen, these are the simple solutions to a nagging issue. Communicate, PSD, and you will be rewarded with better service by all those deranged cabbies. After all, this is a working partnership, and all of us are paying $180.00 per week for these dispatch services. My advice then is, stop acting like there is an ongoing war between driver and PSD, and instead, do what is necessary to assure good service 24 hours a days in a 365 day year.
And lastly, peace and goodwill to all men and women, cabbies included. Amen!
Larry Gossett's Complaint
I bring up the subject of the now defeated longtime King County Council member because, last week, he could be heard on KNOW radio lamenting his unexpected electoral expulsion from the County Council. But I know something everyone listening at that moment didn't know, and that is Larry's complete failure to remember our (the local taxi industry's lawsuit) against King County when he was the sitting Council President. I know this because, earlier this year, Larry was a passenger in my cab and I asked him about it. No, no recall at all. That we battled in the courts for months? No. That I led the fight? No. That Green Cab was allowed not to follow the rules governing the issuance of 50 KC medallions? No, not remembering any of it.
Yes, Mr Gossett is a nice and caring man, having served Seattle and King County, and in particular, the minority community for many years. But then again, it wasn't nice what he did to all us aggrieved cabbies, and not for a second remembering, explaining why he lost the election, because, how can you claim to be prepared to govern when you don't know where you are at any particular moment. My question is, just where were you, Mr. Gossett, when we were spending over $100,000 trying to get your attention?
Oh, that's right, you don't appear to remember!
Postscript 01/13/2019 9:48 AM
To underline my point about marking, highlighting fares, my first fare yesterday after posting yesterday noted "Going to airport" which certainly got my attention. Starting from the 5900 block of Airport Way South, I got to the Museum of Flight in 6-7 minutes. As I said, provide us with the necessary info and off all of us fly to the bell! Yes, taxi reality as I know it.
Yes, a very simple and effective method guaranteeing the customer will get to their flight on time. That they don't take this commonsense approach with equally important account time calls is something that should change, and here are my suggestions on how it should be done, and in the end, making PSD, the cabbie and the account customer very happy.
When the fare is offered, the following steps should be taken:
1) Like the "airport" designation, designate that it is a good fare, for example, if it is going somewhere in Eastern Washington , mark it with an "E WA," telling the cabbie that its a fare you want to have. Another major reason for providing this kind of information is that Seattle's horrible traffic means you sometimes need to have a good reason to battle traffic getting to that fare 4 miles away, not making good sense on any level accepting a "far away bell" when its going to take you 20 minutes of hard driving to get there, all for $5.00.
By labelling the call in some positive way----"Good Fare" or "$100.00 plus Fare" or "Going to Kent," it will enable the cabbie to make quick, coherent decisions. That PSD is currently unhappy is signaled by their telling you, once the call is rejected, that you just lost a $40.00 run, etc. Personally, I find this kind of response insulting because none of us cabbies want to "throw away money," PSD's actions a kind of "sticking their tongue out," taunting for not accepting the fare, implying minus any doubt they think (and know) I am an idiot.
2) Provide part of the address when the fare is offered, again providing us necessary information. That this is now sometimes done suggests it is something that should occur 100% of the time. Again, given Seattle's traffic congestion, it is something I need to know.
3) Provide the time-call time. Say I am in Zone 190, and I am offered an account time call at 4:00 PM in Zone 105, and I see the info "Time Call Due in 30 minutes," telling me that I will have the time to make it without "killing myself," fighting the damn traffic to the pickup address.
And, ladies and gentlemen, these are the simple solutions to a nagging issue. Communicate, PSD, and you will be rewarded with better service by all those deranged cabbies. After all, this is a working partnership, and all of us are paying $180.00 per week for these dispatch services. My advice then is, stop acting like there is an ongoing war between driver and PSD, and instead, do what is necessary to assure good service 24 hours a days in a 365 day year.
And lastly, peace and goodwill to all men and women, cabbies included. Amen!
Larry Gossett's Complaint
I bring up the subject of the now defeated longtime King County Council member because, last week, he could be heard on KNOW radio lamenting his unexpected electoral expulsion from the County Council. But I know something everyone listening at that moment didn't know, and that is Larry's complete failure to remember our (the local taxi industry's lawsuit) against King County when he was the sitting Council President. I know this because, earlier this year, Larry was a passenger in my cab and I asked him about it. No, no recall at all. That we battled in the courts for months? No. That I led the fight? No. That Green Cab was allowed not to follow the rules governing the issuance of 50 KC medallions? No, not remembering any of it.
Yes, Mr Gossett is a nice and caring man, having served Seattle and King County, and in particular, the minority community for many years. But then again, it wasn't nice what he did to all us aggrieved cabbies, and not for a second remembering, explaining why he lost the election, because, how can you claim to be prepared to govern when you don't know where you are at any particular moment. My question is, just where were you, Mr. Gossett, when we were spending over $100,000 trying to get your attention?
Oh, that's right, you don't appear to remember!
Postscript 01/13/2019 9:48 AM
To underline my point about marking, highlighting fares, my first fare yesterday after posting yesterday noted "Going to airport" which certainly got my attention. Starting from the 5900 block of Airport Way South, I got to the Museum of Flight in 6-7 minutes. As I said, provide us with the necessary info and off all of us fly to the bell! Yes, taxi reality as I know it.
Friday, January 3, 2020
Uber Is Running Scared In California
Uber, along with on-demand delivery service, Postmates, jointly filed a lawsuit Monday, December 31st, aimed at blocking a new State of California law called Assembly Bill 5 (or AB5 for short), a law that took effect the next day, on January 1st, reclassifying gig workers as something less than solely independent. In addition to that effort, Uber, along with Lyft, Doordash, Postmates and Instacart, have collectively pooled 110 million dollars to put an initiative ballot measure upon the November 2020 ballot designed to effectively block what the new law intends, Uber and the others wanting to stop independent, freelance "gig" workers from being reclassified as employees, understanding they will annually be responsible for hundreds of millions in additional expenses.
Uber is also mad that some professions are exempted from the new law while they are not, Uber finally getting the idea they are no longer a "favored child." Their statement that "There is no rhyme or reason to these nonsensical exemptions." says everything about the corner they feel backed into, understanding full well their ten-year long regulatory honeymoon is over---California, the City of London amongst others doing what should have been done years ago: acknowledging that Uber is a rogue operator minus moral limits.
All this says, along with their continuing financial losses and bad publicity, that in 2020, Uber is in big trouble, and only a blind optimist thinks their situation will somehow be improving soon. As previously noted, their founding CEO has cut all ties to his former company. Soon, I wouldn't be surprised if the big industrial investors propping up Uber also disappear, tired of losing tens of billions of dollars.
I am also doubtful that California voters will suddenly be sympathetic to companies like Uber, Lyft, etc crying foul while milking their workers for every dime they can extract. It is a bad situation, something no longer to be condoned. Three cheers for California Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez and her colleagues for telling Uber they can go to hell, or something like that. As said, it has been a long time in coming.
(Editor's note: This article was written in part from news reporting featured in the NY Times, the Guardian, and the San Francisco Chronicle. The opinion expressed of course is mine, and solely mine)
Friday, December 27, 2019
Are We Happy Now?---A Year-End Seattle Taxi Report & Former Uber CEO Resigns From Uber Board & Be Sure You Use Your Turn Signals In Washington State
Ah yes, another year's conclusion of taxi fun and games, and am I now insane? The answer is probably yes, but life goes on, and so do the endless taxi miles taking me where I don't, and you don't, want to go. But go I do, and all my fellow crazed cabbies, so do you as the decade ends, leaving us where, where can we be?
I suppose we can call the 21st Centuries second decade the Uber Decade and be quite correct, we never in the taxi industry having before faced such rapacious, unscrupulous competitors, all made possible of course by foolish, dimwitted municipal administrators and regulators not understanding they were bargaining with the Devil Incarnate itself impersonating as Upper-Middle-Class Gentility. Yes, we can all laugh at their stupidity but the truth is, it happened in large part due to their hatred of us, we the so-called "evil taxi empire."
Why their hatred? Call it discrimination personified, viewing us as less than them---taxi untouchables (dalits) not worthy of respect or consideration, all of us thieves, rapists, murderers. Ain't it funny that Uber's 2018 American reports displays clearly just who the criminals are?
Yes, while the tables have been slightly turned in our favor, we remain at a great disadvantage, Uber's tsunami still engulfing the taxi industry, sweeping away our business in their tidal wake. No fun at all.
Are we happy as the third decade approaches? No, I don't think so but we are still breathing, aren't we?
Or is the grave beckoning?
The Jump is Nearly Complete
As I mentioned last week, the former Uber CEO, having nearly completed the selling off of all his Uber stock, has now resigned from the Uber governing board, meaning he will no longer be connected in any form whatsoever with Uber. Funny? Of course it is, as he laughs all the way to the bank with his three-billion in ill-gotten gains. What else can I say? Nothing is the answer.
When Driving in Washington State, Use your Turn Signals, or Else!
This week the Washington State Supreme Court has ruled that under all conditions, drivers must use their turn signals or they will be held accountable by the long arm of the law. What this means, that even though you are in a turn-only lane, you must signal or you can be ticketed.
Ain't that nice, legal sugar and spice
or is it lice
provided by the judicial mice?
I suppose we can call the 21st Centuries second decade the Uber Decade and be quite correct, we never in the taxi industry having before faced such rapacious, unscrupulous competitors, all made possible of course by foolish, dimwitted municipal administrators and regulators not understanding they were bargaining with the Devil Incarnate itself impersonating as Upper-Middle-Class Gentility. Yes, we can all laugh at their stupidity but the truth is, it happened in large part due to their hatred of us, we the so-called "evil taxi empire."
Why their hatred? Call it discrimination personified, viewing us as less than them---taxi untouchables (dalits) not worthy of respect or consideration, all of us thieves, rapists, murderers. Ain't it funny that Uber's 2018 American reports displays clearly just who the criminals are?
Yes, while the tables have been slightly turned in our favor, we remain at a great disadvantage, Uber's tsunami still engulfing the taxi industry, sweeping away our business in their tidal wake. No fun at all.
Are we happy as the third decade approaches? No, I don't think so but we are still breathing, aren't we?
Or is the grave beckoning?
The Jump is Nearly Complete
As I mentioned last week, the former Uber CEO, having nearly completed the selling off of all his Uber stock, has now resigned from the Uber governing board, meaning he will no longer be connected in any form whatsoever with Uber. Funny? Of course it is, as he laughs all the way to the bank with his three-billion in ill-gotten gains. What else can I say? Nothing is the answer.
When Driving in Washington State, Use your Turn Signals, or Else!
This week the Washington State Supreme Court has ruled that under all conditions, drivers must use their turn signals or they will be held accountable by the long arm of the law. What this means, that even though you are in a turn-only lane, you must signal or you can be ticketed.
Ain't that nice, legal sugar and spice
or is it lice
provided by the judicial mice?
Sunday, December 22, 2019
Visiting The Local Magistrate: Seattle Mandates You Pay $80.00 Regardless of Anything
Fines, tickets etc are one unfortunate part of taxi life. It is going to happen despite your best efforts to avoid the bureaucratic thumb attempting to snuff you out. Thursday afternoon saw me visiting a local court magistrate in a vain attempt to mitigate a Red Light Camera ticket received at the south-bound intersection of 6th Avenue crossing James Street. I knew I would have to pay for my transgression but how much was the issue. And this after I thought I knew the location of every intersection camera in the city. How did I miss the signage? I can't really tell you other than I have no excuse whatsoever. Driving taxi is a war, and to not pay attention every second is potentially fatal. That, ladies and gentlemen, is my everyday reality.
The judge herself was great, friendly, and having seen my situation thousands of times, voiced even before I could say it, the fact that I was probably rushing a passenger to an appointment, something completely accurate. She apologized when announcing that the City of Seattle would only allow her to reduce the fine to $80.00, mandated not by her but by the powers dictating her authority. Given the madness I encounter daily upon the streets I don't blame anyone for trying to control what is truly insane driving behavior exhibited by the masses. And with the City of Seattle planning even more red light and school cameras, I am sure the good judge will be busy past commonsense.
The only personal positive I can take from the experience is the great public art to be found in Seattle's municipal buildings, some great Eastern Washington photographs and one very interesting large oil painting making the moment slightly less painful.
A Rat Jumping Ship?
Has Uber hit its last fatal financial iceberg? From recent actions demonstrated by former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick, the Uber sailing forecast appears to be doomed, Kalanick having already sold off 90% of his company stock, $2.5 billion dollars worth, and will soon be divesting the remaining 10% of his Uber holdings. Since June of this year, Uber stock has lost 43% of its original value. The question is, when will Uber's corporate investors join Kalanick in getting out before going down with the sinking ship? The new year, 2020, should tell us much concerning Uber's future. Maybe, just maybe, 2020 will be Uber's setting sun, an unsavory company receiving its just desserts.
And all those former loyal Uber customers might find themselves riding in a taxi. I would like that, and I am sure, you would too.
A Reader Asks a Question
When was Uber formed? The answer is 2009, with the original idea for the company forming in 2007 & 2008.
Dealing with Drunks: Just tell them goodbye
Late last night, two inebriated fellows, wanted to go a local MacDonald's. That they didn't know where one was didn't stop them from angrily bossing me around. I immediately told them then to get out or I was calling the police, having done nothing wrong expect perhaps letting them into the cab, not interested in their unnecessary abuse. That is how you deal with unruly drunks. There is no other way.
These guys were high-caste Indians from India. Have you been following what has been happening recently in India? In my case, India's bad behavior was transferred to my cab, and I am neither Muslim or from Kashmir. No, I do want Indian citizenship.
Again, treated once again as a taxi dalit. Boring!
A Rat Jumping Ship?
Has Uber hit its last fatal financial iceberg? From recent actions demonstrated by former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick, the Uber sailing forecast appears to be doomed, Kalanick having already sold off 90% of his company stock, $2.5 billion dollars worth, and will soon be divesting the remaining 10% of his Uber holdings. Since June of this year, Uber stock has lost 43% of its original value. The question is, when will Uber's corporate investors join Kalanick in getting out before going down with the sinking ship? The new year, 2020, should tell us much concerning Uber's future. Maybe, just maybe, 2020 will be Uber's setting sun, an unsavory company receiving its just desserts.
And all those former loyal Uber customers might find themselves riding in a taxi. I would like that, and I am sure, you would too.
A Reader Asks a Question
When was Uber formed? The answer is 2009, with the original idea for the company forming in 2007 & 2008.
Dealing with Drunks: Just tell them goodbye
Late last night, two inebriated fellows, wanted to go a local MacDonald's. That they didn't know where one was didn't stop them from angrily bossing me around. I immediately told them then to get out or I was calling the police, having done nothing wrong expect perhaps letting them into the cab, not interested in their unnecessary abuse. That is how you deal with unruly drunks. There is no other way.
These guys were high-caste Indians from India. Have you been following what has been happening recently in India? In my case, India's bad behavior was transferred to my cab, and I am neither Muslim or from Kashmir. No, I do want Indian citizenship.
Again, treated once again as a taxi dalit. Boring!
Friday, December 13, 2019
After Uber Is Again Banned In London, Uber CEO Khosrowshahi Says London's Decision Is "Just Wrong!"
In late November, the City of London once again stripped Uber of its license to operate, having taken a similar action back in 2007. While Uber continues to operate in London while appealing the decision, how can Uber truly protest after it was found that many customers, while trustfully using their app, were provided at least 14,000 unauthorized rides by unregistered drivers, drivers minus unverified driver licenses and not carrying any kind of insurance coverage. What this translates into is, that in the case of at least a minimum of 14,000 rides, Uber did not know who was driving their customers, and worse, provided those rides with no protective insurance whatsoever. Most often, it appears, this all occurring with the complicity and cooperation of fully registered Uber drivers actively assisting in defrauding the Uber app, allowing friends and family and complete strangers to drive their cars or use their identities, most often for personal profit. I see a number of important questions springing from this kind of behavior.
1) Given this is criminal behavior, what kind of screening process, if any, did Uber utilize when signing up these people to drive for them?
2) Did the City of London, like the City of Seattle, relinquish all screening and regulatory control to Uber, thus allowing Uber to sidestep normal regulatory process and procedures?
3) Will the City of London hold Uber drivers transferring their app to someone else legally responsible?
4) If the City of London does re-certify Uber, do they intend to retain oversight just as they now oversee all London Black-car taxicab licensing and behavior?
5) Will the City of London require Uber to pay damages to the thousands of customers who unknowingly rode and paid for fraudulent service?
Why it might seem odd for someone in the USA to pose these questions for City of London/ Police Department authorities, I do this solely to encourage everyone to put Uber's behavior in the proper perspective---that it is outrageous for something on this scale to occur without far reaching consequences for Uber, and not only in the United Kingdom but everywhere it operates. When will Uber's egregious behavior end, with how many more unauthorized rides, rapes and murders to their unworthy credit?
Why I know it's difficult to stop or modify government behavior, why does the same need apply to corporations like Uber, where accountability at best isn't worth the paper its written on, and company CEOs can act like they are the wronged party? I believe it is time, past time, to make Uber an example and permanently shut them down in London and across the globe, sending the firm message that their kind of arrogance is not acceptable. Other, far more responsible companies will come in to fill the gap, and perhaps taxi will once again be recognized for the honorable industry it is, hearkening a new era for a falsely maligned cab industry.
Yes, one might call this an idle hope but justice does sometimes occur. I suggest contacting who you may and telling them Uber must be held accountable. It will only take a few minutes. And I am sure your God of whatever definition you have concerning metaphysical influence, will bless you for it, an unexpected bonus to your busy day, God too an interested party to madness sanctioned as sanity.
1) Given this is criminal behavior, what kind of screening process, if any, did Uber utilize when signing up these people to drive for them?
2) Did the City of London, like the City of Seattle, relinquish all screening and regulatory control to Uber, thus allowing Uber to sidestep normal regulatory process and procedures?
3) Will the City of London hold Uber drivers transferring their app to someone else legally responsible?
4) If the City of London does re-certify Uber, do they intend to retain oversight just as they now oversee all London Black-car taxicab licensing and behavior?
5) Will the City of London require Uber to pay damages to the thousands of customers who unknowingly rode and paid for fraudulent service?
Why it might seem odd for someone in the USA to pose these questions for City of London/ Police Department authorities, I do this solely to encourage everyone to put Uber's behavior in the proper perspective---that it is outrageous for something on this scale to occur without far reaching consequences for Uber, and not only in the United Kingdom but everywhere it operates. When will Uber's egregious behavior end, with how many more unauthorized rides, rapes and murders to their unworthy credit?
Why I know it's difficult to stop or modify government behavior, why does the same need apply to corporations like Uber, where accountability at best isn't worth the paper its written on, and company CEOs can act like they are the wronged party? I believe it is time, past time, to make Uber an example and permanently shut them down in London and across the globe, sending the firm message that their kind of arrogance is not acceptable. Other, far more responsible companies will come in to fill the gap, and perhaps taxi will once again be recognized for the honorable industry it is, hearkening a new era for a falsely maligned cab industry.
Yes, one might call this an idle hope but justice does sometimes occur. I suggest contacting who you may and telling them Uber must be held accountable. It will only take a few minutes. And I am sure your God of whatever definition you have concerning metaphysical influence, will bless you for it, an unexpected bonus to your busy day, God too an interested party to madness sanctioned as sanity.
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