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☆ Vigilante Hong Kong cabbies went undercover to ensnare illegal Uber drivers. It backfired
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-08 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

They are vigilante taxi drivers taking direct action, having become increasingly frustrated about Hong Kong authorities’ failure to regulate the ride-hailing platform. Noemi Cassanelli/CNNA Uber app is seen on a mobile phone in Hong Kong, China, on May 24, 2024. Patrick Tam, secretary general of the Hong Kong Taxi & Public Light Bus Association, acknowledged the complaints against some unruly taxi drivers, and said he supported the police going after them. “We just want fair treatment.”So far, Hong Kong police have said they had not arrested any Uber drivers ensnared in the amateur sting operations. And CUHK’s Chan said that, after years of ambiguity, Hong Kong is already playing catch-up.

Persons: Ka Chun, “, Uber, Noemi Cassanelli, CNN Uber, ”, Oliver Chan, Hong, John Lee, Lau, tim, ” Jason Chan, Mo, “ Uber, Patrick Tam, CNN Estyn Chung, CUHK’s Chan Organizations: CNN, Hong, Chinese University of Hong, Taxi, Pictures, hackney, CNN Taxis, HK, Hong Kong Taxi, Light Bus Association, Uber Taxi, Uber Locations: Hong Kong, China, Central, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Jordan, Singapore

☆ Black cab U-turn: Uber to partner with London cabbies after decade of dispute
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

In recent years, London's black cab drivers - who have to pass a test called "The Knowledge" requiring them to memorise thousands of routes within the city - blocked the streets in protests against the ride-hailing service. The new service, which will be rolled out in early 2024, follows nearly a decade of tensions between the two parties, including an unsuccessful legal challenge by black cab drivers against Uber's London operating licence in 2019. Under the new arrangement black cab drivers will be offered jobs with a pre-determined price range through Uber, which they can accept or reject. Uber will not charge black cab drivers a commission for the first six months of the deal. Hameed Hameedi, the first London cab driver to sign up with Uber, said: "Nowadays more passengers than ever are using apps so Uber opening up to Black Cabs will be a huge advantage to the trade."

Persons: Andrew Brem, Uber, Hameed Hameedi, Farouq Suleiman, William James, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: Uber Technologies, Uber's London, Uber, cabbies, Thomson Locations: British, Britain, France, Germany, Spain, London

☆ Uber announces partnership with London’s iconic black cab taxis
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Catherine Thorbecke | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Once bitter rivals fighting for control of London’s streets, Uber and the British capital’s iconic black cab taxis are now teaming up. Uber on Tuesday announced a new partnership with London’s black cab taxis that will let cab drivers opt in to gain access to Uber trip referrals. Uber said the first London cab drivers have already signed up, and service will roll out early next year. Many Londoners, meanwhile, take unique pride in the city’s black cab taxi service. When Uber drivers arrived on the scene, however, drivers for the app could simply rely on the app’s navigation systems.

Persons: Uber, ”, Andrew Brem, ” Hameed Hameedi, Hameedi, ” Hameedi Organizations: CNN, Uber, cabbies, New York Locations: British, hackney, London, Paris , New York, Rome

☆ Two New York men arrested for conspiring with Russians to hack JFK taxi system
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( Gabrielle Fonrouge | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Arriving passengers line up to get taxi outside of Terminal 4 at the JFK airport in New York. Two New York men were arrested for conspiring with Russian nationals to hack the taxi dispatch system at John F. Kennedy International Airport so they could manipulate the line and charge drivers for access to the front of the queue, federal prosecutors said Tuesday. "I know that the Pentagon is being hacked… so can't we hack the taxi industry[?]" Typically, taxi drivers looking to pick up travelers at JFK wait in a holding lot before they're dispatched to a specific terminal in the order in which they arrived. "For years, the defendants' hacking kept honest cab drivers from being able to pick up fares at JFK in the order in which they arrived," Williams said.

☆ Hate Tipping? Here Are 12 Countries Where You Don't Have To
▼ + stars: | 2014-04-29 | by ( ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Unlike the U.S, where it’s standard to tip 15-20 percent for most services, some countries only expect a 5 percent tip, and other countries expect nothing at all. The result was the following list of 12 countries, where tipping customs range from welcome (but not expected) for great service, all the way to insulting. AdvertisementNote, tipping in countries where it is not customary, or where service fees and gratuity are included, is often still appreciated. People may choose to add a small tip, and higher tipping percentages are more common in big cities. A 10 percent tip is normal for great service, but patrons do not need to feel compelled to leave anything.

Persons: Kiran Dhillon, Waitstaff Organizations: Japan, Hong Locations: U.S, China, Polynesia, Japan, Korea, South Korea, Hong Kong, Switzerland Swiss, Australia, Belgium, Switzerland, Brazil, Denmark, Estonia, Zealand, New Zealand

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