Numerous travellers on the network implored TfL to removed the posters, with many saying that the slogan “an abode for peace” was not accurate, particularly for LGBT+ people in the region.
A statement from TfL said that the advert when reviewed against their policy it is clear that “this is an issue of great public sensitively and controversy” and said that the poster would be removed from the network.
It also said any future adverts would be “reviewed against the advertising policy, and information that has recently come to light would be considered in any decision”.
Very grateful to @SadiqKhan@TfL for this very positive (and extremely swift!) response.
At least one major travel firm has said it would no longer offer flights on the government-owned airline, Royal Brunei Airlines. STA Travel said, “We’re proud of our open and diverse culture and we expect our partners to demonstrate the same. We do not support in any way the laws being introduced in Brunei (including on Brunei-registered aircraft and vessels). Because of this, we have stopped selling Royal Brunei Airlines flights”.
Even though TfL has decided to revoke Uber’s license in London, you can still use your Uber account and get a taxi.
Transport for London (TfL) has informed US tech firm Uber that it will not issue it a private hire operator licence after the expiry of its current licence on 30 September. TfL cited the company’s policy on reporting criminal offences, hiring policies and tech software which could bar regulatory organisations for gaining full access to its technology as some of its reasons.
Can I still order a taxi on Uber?
Uber has 21 days to appeal and those appeals could see the battle for Uber on London’s street rage for years into the future. Tfl also noted that Uber had the right to appeal the decision and that it could continue to operate ” until any appeal processes have been exhausted”.
So technically Uber can still continue to offer cars to its customers as Tfl has stated that it can continue to operate whilst any appeals process goes on.
Uber has confirmed it will appeal the decision.
40,000 Unemployed drivers in London?
The blow to Uber could potentially mean the loss of tens of thousands of jobs across London as well affecting over 3.5 million passengers who use the service. The company has around 40,000 drivers in London – but they aren’t considered employees of the company, but self-employed.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said in a statement, “I fully support TfL’s decision – it would be wrong if TfL continued to license Uber if there is any way that this could pose a threat to Londoners’ safety and security.”
In a statement, Uber said, “far from being open, London is closed to innovative companies”.
Why did the TFL ban Uber?
In making its decision to effectively ban Uber TfL said,
TfL has concluded that Uber London Limited is not fit and proper to hold a private hire operator licence.
TfL considers that Uber’s approach and conduct demonstrate a lack of corporate responsibility in relation to a number of issues which have potential public safety and security implications. These include:
Its approach to reporting serious criminal offences.
Its approach to how medical certificates are obtained.
Its approach to how Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks are obtained.
Its approach to explaining the use of Greyball in London – software that could be used to block regulatory bodies from gaining full access to the app and prevent officials from undertaking regulatory or law enforcement duties.
But don’t worry just yet – those Prius’s could be around for a good few years yet
Transport for London (TfL) has informed US tech firm Uber that it will not issue it a private hire operator licence after the expiry of its current licence on 30 September. TfL cited the company’s policy on reporting criminal offences, hiring policies and tech software which could bar regulatory organisations for gaining full access to its technology as some of its reasons.
The blow to Uber could potentially mean the loss of tens of thousands of jobs across London as well affecting over 3.5 million passengers who use the service.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said in a statement, “I fully support TfL’s decision – it would be wrong if TfL continued to license Uber if there is any way that this could pose a threat to Londoners’ safety and security.”
In a statement, Uber said, “far from being open, London is closed to innovative companies”.
Why did the TFL ban Uber?
In making its decision to effectively ban Uber TfL said,
TfL has concluded that Uber London Limited is not fit and proper to hold a private hire operator licence.
TfL considers that Uber’s approach and conduct demonstrate a lack of corporate responsibility in relation to a number of issues which have potential public safety and security implications. These include:
Its approach to reporting serious criminal offences.
Its approach to how medical certificates are obtained.
Its approach to how Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks are obtained.
Its approach to explaining the use of Greyball in London – software that could be used to block regulatory bodies from gaining full access to the app and prevent officials from undertaking regulatory or law enforcement duties.
Gone from London’s streets?
Uber has 21 days to appeal and those appeals could see the battle for Uber on London’s street rage for years into the future. Tfl also noted that Uber had the right to appeal the decision and that it could continue to operate ” until any appeal processes have been exhausted”.
Scientists have discovered the cocktail of germs and bacteria being picked up by people on Britain’s public transport every day.
Millions could be leaving themselves open to skin infections, respiratory infections and even food poisoning.
A test of surfaces touched daily by commuters and tourists on London’s tube system was commissioned by Coldzyme to highlight the number of germs and bacteria we come into contact with every day.
A commuter used the Tube wearing a white glove and touched surfaces such as chip and pins pads on ticket machines, handrails on escalators and stairs and grab-handles in tube carriages.
Dr Jacob Malone, joint group leader at the university for East Anglia and the John Innes Centre then analysed the glove and found a mixture of bacteria and fungi.
Among the bugs found were bacteria from the Staphylococcus species, including S. aureus – which can cause skin infections, respiratory infections such as sinusitis and food poisoning.
Bacteria from the Pseudomonas species was also identified, including P. aeruginosa, which is a common, opportunistic pathogen.
While it’s not generally a threat to healthy people, it can cause infections in those whose immune systems are weakened or compromised in some way.
There were also some other proteobacterial species such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella, of which some can cause diseases such as food poisoning, although many do not do this.
Several different fungi, which are spread by spores floating around in the air and on surfaces, were also found.
Dr Jacob Malone, said: “The range of bacterial species we isolated was quite large, with many different species, and many shapes, sizes and colours of colonies present.
“The bacterial colonies we see on the plates only represent a tiny subset of the different species that were likely to be present in each case, as the vast majority of bacterial species cannot be grown up in the lab.
“What we found was totally normal for any set of surfaces that come into contact with people daily.
“The whole world is teeming with bacteria and fungi, and this is a normal and healthy situation.
“Only a small fraction of the bacteria in any environment are dangerous, and even then, only in specific situations.
“Obviously, people should exercise proper care and attention, and I would not recommend eating food that has dropped on the subway floor or licking the furniture, but there is no particular cause for alarm.”
A spokesman for Coldzyme added: “As we go about our day-to-day lives, we come into contact with a host of germs and bacteria, particularly in public spaces such as the transport network or our work places.
“Whether it’s a bacteria that can cause an infection or sickness bug or a simple cold virus, any one of them has the potential to leave to feeling at least a little under the weather.
“Protecting yourself as much as possible from the harmful germs and bacteria is the best defence, by doing things such as wearing gloves, covering your mouth and nose when your sneeze and washing your hands regularly.
A gay man who has been battling cancer got the shock of his life at pride when friends and family took over the video screens to send their love and support
Hearing “Ladies and Gentlemen” on London’s Underground is set to become a thing of the past as Transport for London looks to lose gendered announcements.
It appears that Transport for London (TfL) is to stop using the term “ladies and gentlemen” to replace with a simple “everyone” on its public announcements. Campaigners have stressed that the gendered term belongs in the past.
Employees have been told to stop using the term in announcements to passengers and instead use a more inclusive “everyone”.
The change is happening after campaigners appealed to Sadiq Khan, London’s Mayor, to update the policy on announcements.
Mark Evers, TfL’s boss of customer strategy, said the corporation wanted,
“everyone to feel welcome on our transport network”.
“We have reviewed the language that we use in announcements and elsewhere and will make sure that it is fully inclusive, reflecting the great diversity of London.”
Stonewall, the LGBT charity backed the changes saying,
“Language is extremely important to the lesbian, gay, bi and trans community, and the way we use it can help ensure all people feel included.
“We welcome gender neutral announcements to be rolled out across TfL, as it will ensure that everyone – no matter who they identify as – feels accounted for.”
Speaking at the Mayor’s Question Time last month, Sadiq explained,
“Transport for London serves a vibrant, diverse and multicultural city, and provision of an inclusive transport service is at the heart of TfL’s purpose,” he said.
“I am aware however, that some customers may not relate to or feel comfortable with the way that certain station announcements are made.
“I am keen that TfL addresses these concerns by speaking in a more neutral way when referring to gender.”
Should 'ladies and gentlemen' announcements be scrapped on the Tube?
This amazing timelapse video shows the process of turning an ordinary DRL carriage into a brightly coloured rainbow transport ready for London’s Pride event.
The DLR train completes a hat-trick of rainbow wrapped transport vehicles, which includes a New Routemaster and an iconic London black cab. The wrapped vehicles were designed to celebrate London’s diversity and the 10th anniversary of TfL’s LGBT+ staff network group, OUTbound.
Some of London’s transport options are getting a rainbow makeover in time for Pride this weekend.
Some of London’s buses, taxis and now DLR carriages are to be given a rainbow makeover to celebrate Pride in London, which takes place on the 27th June.
The DLR train completes a hat-trick of rainbow wrapped transport vehicles, which includes a New Routemaster and an iconic London black cab. The wrapped vehicles were designed to celebrate London’s diversity and the 10th anniversary of TfL’s LGBT+ staff network group, OUTbound.
Martyn Loukes BEM, Chair of TfL’s LGBT staff network group, OUTbound, said: “The wrapping of the DLR train completes a trio of our rainbow themed projects this year to celebrate London’s diversity. We’re extremely grateful that Barclays has paid for the train to be wrapped in our iconic design. This is another great example of two organisations working together to celebrate LGBT staff and customers.”
The two-car DLR train will be in service on the Canary Wharf to Stratford route from Monday 22 June and will remain on the network until later this year. The train wrap has been sponsored by Barclays and complements the #PrideHeroes advertising campaign featuring the bank’s employees sharing their experiences of working in an environment that is inclusive and engaging for everyone. The campaign will run across the TfL network during the festival and will also feature volunteers and members of the public who have been nominated as #PrideHeroes.
Mark McLane, Barclays’ Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion, said: “The financial sector continues to make great strides in embracing diversity and what better way to celebrate this than with a Pride-themed train running between London’s two financial centres, Canary Wharf and the City. We’re delighted to be helping Londoners support Ride with Pride.”
Rory O’Neill, DLR Director, said: “We are delighted to have this iconic artwork on our trains. It has taken a great deal of collaboration with our operator, KeolisAmey Docklands to get it done but it is well worth the effort.”
Last year, more than 750,000 people attended the Pride in London festival with 30,000 joining the annual parade, which is one the Capital’s biggest one-day events.
