This insane stat shows how Uber is taking over London
Thomson Reuters
Johnson said: "We need to let competition rip. However, the profusion of minicabs means that of the cars entering the congestion zone now, 1 in 10 are minicabs because of Uber. Two years ago it was about 1 in 100."
The congestion zone is the area of central London that drivers must pay to enter, an initiative meant to reduce traffic. Cars are monitored using a system of cameras, meaning its easy for the Mayor's office to track what type of vehicles are entering the city centre.
Johnson added: "The number of minicabs on the streets has gone up from about 40,000 or 50,000 when I was elected to more than 80,000. That tells you that's going to cause congestion."
Official stats from regulator Transport for London and elsewhere show:
- There are 88,950 licensed private hire drivers in London right now, up from 59,000 in 2009/10.
- Uber says it now has 20,000 drivers registered on its platform, the company told Business Insider. That is a phenomenal level of growth - zero to 20,000 in three years.
- There are only about 22,500 black "Hackney" cabs in London, and that number has risen from only 22,168 in 2013.
- Uber's CEO Travis Kalanick said last year he hopes to have 42,000 registered drivers in London by March 2016.
- Transport for London forecast the number of minicab drivers will rise to 128,000 over the next two years.
An Uber spokesperson told Business Insider that 4,500 Uber drivers are on London's roads at any one time.
- I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.
- Saudi Arabia wants China to help fund its struggling $500 billion Neom megaproject. Investors may not be too excited.
- One of the world's only 5-star airlines seems to be considering asking business-class passengers to bring their own cutlery
- From terrace to table: 8 Edible plants you can grow in your home
- India fourth largest military spender globally in 2023: SIPRI report
- New study forecasts high chance of record-breaking heat and humidity in India in the coming months
- Gold plunges ₹1,450 to ₹72,200, silver prices dive by ₹2,300
- Strong domestic demand supporting India's growth: Morgan Stanley