Those wishing to try Taxify – the Uber-rival that’s cheaper than Uber – in London have missed the boat, or at least might have to wait a while. The service has been ordered to shut down by Transport for London (TfL), over issues with its licensing.
Taxify launched on Tuesday. Just a few days later, it suspended service after it emerged the company isn’t registered as a private-hire taxi operator under the name “Taxify,” something that’s a must in the London’s highly regulated transport sector.
In a statement emailed to Business Insider, Taxify said it “temporarily stopped operations to clarify its legal position with the regulator.”
TfL were more blunt, saying “Taxify is not a licensed private hired operator and is not licensed to accept private hire bookings in London. TfL has instructed Taxify to stop accepting bookings and it has done so.”
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Taxify describes itself not as a transportation provider, but rather a technology company (sound familiar?). Customers accept rides from “City Drive Services,” which does have a license. It’s this arrangement that TFL has an issue with.
Taxify launched with roughly 3,000 drivers. Thanks to hugely subsidized fares (as much as 10-percent less than Uber, and 50 percent off during the month of September), it rapidly took off. No doubt there are some customers and drivers cursing TfL right now.
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