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Uber, a freedom ride and cue for Ghana taxis!

Uber, a freedom ride and cue for Ghana taxis!

A few days ago, an intriguing message was posted on a Social Media Platform here in Ghana requesting members to sign a petition to save the London Uber, the enterprising transport service which is fast spreading its wheels globally.

The petition relates to a recent shock announcement by the London licensing authority, Transport for London (TfL): It intends to ban Uber, a USA-based company, from operating in London from the end of this month, meaning that after tomorrow, September 30, its licence might not be renewed.

Reason? The Guardian newspaper of London: “The firm’s application for a new licence was rejected by Transport for London on the basis that the company is not a ‘fit and proper’ private car hire operator.” Mainly, there are issues over passengers’ safety as well as the rights of the drivers.

It’s a reflection of the interconnectivity of the world now that, seemingly, no sooner had we heard of ‘Uber’ than it was operating in Ghana, too.

Anyway, speaking as an appreciative, new Uber user, thank God it is in Ghana! For people who don’t drive and who sometimes need a commercial car service that can take one from gate to gate, Uber is a great blessing.

Before I signed on to Uber through an Internet application, unless I got a lift, I dreaded having to go to certain places because of the offensive, unfair and unhelpful ‘No taxis allowed’ signs everywhere.

Now Uber is my ‘freedom ride’. They can take me wherever I want to go. Because they’re not painted in the taxi colours, they’re viewed as private cars and therefore given the access that taxis are inexplicably denied.

Each time I have used the service, the fare has been close to what a regular taxi would charge; sometimes even a little less. Best of all, I use my phone and within minutes an Uber car will be at my gate.

I pray that the dispute with TfL will soon be settled and, more importantly, that there will be no similar problem in Ghana with the city authorities. Some of the taxi associations here have reportedly been complaining that Uber is taking over their work.

In my view, what the taxi companies in Ghana should do is to take advantage of the arrival of Uber here to make the city authorities take another look at the taxi barring notices. They should argue that if Uber can go to destinations doorstep, then the taxis here too, should be allowed to offer that convenience to their passengers.

For taxi users that of course would be a huge relief. At present, it seems that passengers have no rights.
That was the main point of a column I wrote in 2015. The following is an abridged version of that piece which had the headline, ‘Who speaks for taxi passengers?’

They can be seen practically everywhere, the notices that state emphatically, ‘No taxis allowed’ or similar wording, and I have been wondering why. What is it that taxis did, or do, that led to this near declaration of war against them? 

But although the signs appear to target taxis, it is the passengers who are affected by this blatant discrimination.

Significantly of all the recent cases of stupendous embezzlements, no taxi has been cited as the car used to take the stolen money away – actually, now the stealing tends to be by pen or computer. So why do we see the ‘No taxis’ signs at so many places that should give easy access to the public?

One expects a ‘dropping’ taxi, to take one to the gate or front door of a destination and not to be inconvenienced by having to walk the rest of the way because taxis have no right of entry there. Conceivably, as for the drivers they are only too happy to oblige! It makes their work easier!

Interestingly, nobody seems to know the origin of the ubiquitous taxi bans; at least I haven’t come across anybody who knows.

If the ‘No taxis’ restrictions came about because some taxi drivers are fond of tooting their car horn and disturbing others, why not have ‘No tooting of car horn allowed here’ signs?

Also, why on earth have ‘No taxis’ signs at a tourist attraction? For example, the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum has one of those signs!

But perhaps the ‘unkindest cut’ of all is experienced at the State House complex, which includes Parliament – the people’s champion – and the Banquet Hall. Its entrance also displays the ‘No taxis’ caution, as does the Accra International Conference Centre opposite.

The stretch from the State House main gate to Parliament and the Banquet Hall is quite a distance, so why this hindrance to ‘car-less’ people?

Furthermore, if one has to attend a function at the prestigious Banquet Hall in a taxi, notably an evening one, it means that one goes through the indignity of having to get out at the entrance in one’s finery and foot it the rest of the way.

Why is it that nobody in authority has ever questioned the fairness of the ‘No taxis’ warnings? Clearly it’s because it doesn’t affect them! They all have cars!

Or is it the wish of our governments that everybody in Ghana should have a private car?

Isn’t it time to abolish the ‘No taxis’ notices in the interest of passengers? For, obviously, it’s those who by choice or need have to rely on taxis who suffer the inconvenience, NOT taxi drivers!

Who speaks for passengers? (Issue of June 5, 2015.)

The Guardian also reported that Uber plans to challenge the ban in the courts immediately. “The firm can continue to operate in the capital – where it has 3, 5 million users – until it has exhausted the appeals process, which could take months.”

Well, I hope that the dispute can be settled amicably, with the rights of both passengers and drivers assured.

In the meantime, a suggestion for taxi unions here: take a cue from Uber’s operation in Ghana and get the authorities to abolish the ‘No taxis allowed here’ signs in the interest of fair competition, and passengers.

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