Should Uber operate at London?

Uber today won a big victory in court fight that Uber will be able to continue operating for 15 more months. London is Uber's biggest European market and Uber definitely does not want to lose this market.

Transport for London did not renew Uber's license of its operation in London. The judge ruled that the decision had been made correctly but as Uber has changed its ways, now Uber's license should be renewed.

Uber has started the proactive reporting of violent incidents to the police. Violent incidents are happening in many Uber-like car hiring companies' cases, including some cases in China as well. Many people argue such companies should not be allowed to operate. However, making such judgment needs careful evaluations.

Some parties which are against Uber-like car hiring companies are those traditional car hiring companies, such as traditional Taxi companies. Their objections are understandable but does not contribute to the judgment. The costs and benefits of such car hiring companies should be done based on the benefits they bring to cities and the increased risk of their clients being attacked. In general, once a client is willing to use such a car hiring company, he or she should finish a costs and benefits evaluation and sees benefits are greater than costs before he or she makes the decision. Therefore, such car hiring companies should be allowed as their clients believe benefits are greater than costs. However, the problem is whether their clients have complete knowledge about their costs and benefits.

I think that once clients have full information the potential risk (cost) and the benefits about Uber-like car hiring companies, including Uber, these companies should be allowed to be run on their own.