My company, Embassy Direct, which is based in Hanwell, west London, has been trading for 50 years in the private hire transport sector. It has been said that banning Uber (Report, 30 September) would put “40,000 people out of work”. But all this would do is give us, the independent private hire operators, our drivers back. Many companies’ doors have closed and those that are left have struggled just to stay afloat in this industry. I think there will be no drivers out of work; they would just go back to private hire operators.
It would also make customers’ safety better monitored, as was the case pre-Uber. All companies have had their own checks and procedures for many years, and that has worked. So why, after a few years of trading, can Uber say sorry, we were doing it a bit wrong and we will do it the correct way now that TfL wants to close us down. Private hire operators do not have the funds to take TfL to court as Uber has threatened. It’s just not fair.
Ibrat Ali
Embassy Direct, London
• In the debate around Uber, it’s important that the thousands of disabled people and those with access needs who rely on its service are not forgotten. When disabled people want to travel in London, they have few easy options. Despite improvements, public transport is far from fully accessible. Black taxis offer a great service for many, but they aren’t the best option for everyone. That’s why new, convenient and highly accessible options like Uber make a big difference to people’s lives.
Uber offers the largest number of fully wheelchair-accessible vehicles of any private hire operation in London, with shorter wait times and a lower price than most alternatives. The vehicles accommodate users of larger wheelchairs and allow wheelchair users to face forwards during their journey. Ordering a car direct to your door from your smartphone also makes travelling easier. Uber has not been without its problems. Yet its innovation in accessible transport has been overwhelmingly positive.
Disabled people deserve to benefit from the greater choice of affordable and accessible travel that competition and innovation delivers. Uber provides this opportunity. All parties should therefore work together to resolve the situation amicably.
Srin Madipalli Co-founder and CEO, Accomable, George Fielding Former chair, Whizz-Kidz’ Kidz board, Stephen Miller Gold-medal-winning paralympian, founder of Smile Through Sport, Martyn Sibley Co-founder of Disability Horizons, Toby Mildon Diversity and inclusion adviser
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