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City Council has directed the Chief Municipal Law Enforcement Officer to review the operations of vehiclefor-hire services, such as UberX, including the views of the public with respect to the regulation of these
services.
The City of London commissioned Ipsos to conduct a survey of its residents to measure:
Transportation
Network Companies
2016 Ipsos. All rights reserved. Contains Ipsos' Confidential and Proprietary information and may not be
disclosed or reproduced without the prior written consent of Ipsos.
2016 Ipsos
2016 Ipsos
Methodology
Key findings
This survey was conducted by telephone and the sample was drawn using random digit dialing (RDD) among
City of London residents.
A total of 500 interviews were completed among residents 18 years of age and older.
Just under one in ten City of London residents (7%) have used UberX service in the past 12 months, and three
in ten (31%) use this service at least once a month. Comparatively, four in ten (42%)have taken a taxi in the
past 12 months and three in ten have used the service at least once a month (28%).
The overall survey results have been weighted by age and gender to reflect the population of the City of
London.
A sample of 500 interviews produces results which can be considered accurate within + 4.4 percentage
points, 19 times out of 20. The margin of error will be larger for subgroups.
While residents are less likely to have used UberX compared to taxis, those who do use UberX are marginally
more likely to use it more frequently; two in ten UberX users take it weekly (17%) compared to one in ten taxi
users who use taxis weekly (10%).
Satisfaction with UberX is marginally higher than that for taxis (21% of UberX users are satisfied compared to
16% among taxi users).
When asked to choose among three options the action the City of London should take regarding vehicle-forhire services, such as UberX, a majority of two-thirds (64%) prefer that the City regulate drivers of vehicles-forhire in the same way the City regulates drivers of taxis and limousines. Only two in ten (18%) think drivers of
private vehicle-for-hire services should be allowed to operate under different regulations than drivers of taxis
and limousines. Only one in ten (12%) think that the City should not permit these drivers to operate in the City
of London.
London residents are most inclined to support regulation of all vehicle-for-hire services that aim to protect
passenger safety, including primarily criminal record checks and vehicle safety checks, as well as Ministry of
Transportation driving record, safety emergency flashing lights, cameras in vehicle for driver and passenger
safety and commercial insurance.
2016 Ipsos
2016 Ipsos
Usage of public transit, taxis and UberX is significantly higher among younger residents.
When asked to choose among three options the action the City of London should take regarding vehicle-forhire services, such as UberX, a majority of two-thirds of residents across all age groups prefer that the City
regulate drivers of vehicles-for-hire in the same way the City regulates drivers of taxis and limousines. But
those aged 18 to 34 are significantly more likely than those aged 55 and older to think drivers of private
vehicle-for-hire services should be allowed to operate under different regulations than drivers of taxis and
limousines, while those aged 55 and older are significantly more likely than those aged 18 to 34 to think that
the City should not permit these drivers to operate in the City of London.
A large majority of past 12 month UberX users are also taxi users, while few past 12 month taxi users have also used
UberX.
When asked to choose among three options the action the City of London should take regarding vehicle-forhire services, such as UberX, past 12 month UberX users are significantly more likely than past 12 month taxi
users to prefer that drivers of private vehicle-for-hire services should be allowed to operate under different
regulations than drivers of taxis and limousines (with half strongly supportive of this view), while past 12
month taxi users are significantly more likely than past 12 month UberX users to prefer that the City regulate
drivers of vehicles-for-hire in the same way the City regulates drivers of taxis and limousines (with a majority
strongly supportive of this view).
Past 12 month UberX users are as likely as past 12 month taxi users to support regulation of all vehicle-for-hire
services in most areas dealing with passenger safety, such as criminal record checks, vehicle safety checks,
Ministry of Transportation driving record and safety emergency flashing lights., as well as customer service
training and exams and fares. But past 12 month UberX users are significantly less likely to strongly support
regulation in the areas of cameras in vehicles for driver and passenger safety, as well as in the areas of
number of permitted vehicles, markings on vehicles to identify private vehicles-for-hire, commercial insurance,
and collection of the HST through the fare.
Younger residents are as likely as older residents to support regulation of all vehicle-for-hire services that aim
to protect passenger safety, including criminal record checks and vehicle safety checks, as well as Ministry of
Transportation driving record, safety emergency flashing lights, and cameras in vehicle for driver and
passenger safety (with majorities across all age groups voicing strong support for regulation in these areas).
They are also as likely to strongly support regulation of customer service training, collection of HST through
the fare and fares themselves. Those aged 18 to 34 are significantly less likely than those aged 55 and older to
strongly support the City regulating the number of permitted vehicles, markings on vehicles to identify private
vehicles-for-hire, commercial insurance, and collection of HST through the fare.
2016 Ipsos
Almost six in ten residents feel familiar (very/ somewhat) with public transportation and taxis.
Three in ten are familiar with limousines and one-quarter with UberX.
Very familiar
Somewhat familiar
Public Transportation
30%
29%
14%
2016 Ipsos
The sample of UberX users is small (n=35). Hence, caution should be used in interpreting these results.
Familiar
25%
59%
2%
Four in ten residents have used a taxi in the past 12 months, while about a third have used public transportation, more than one in
ten have used a limousine and fewer than one in ten have used UberX.
Among users, more than four in ten use public transit at least once a week, while nearly two in ten use UberX at the same frequency.
One in ten use taxis on a weekly basis and only one percent use limousines at lease once a week.
42%
Taxi
Taxi
26%
30%
18%
24%
2%
UberX
12%
9%
19%
14%
14%
13%
52%
60%
3%
4%
31%
Limousine
UberX
24%
None of these
35%
14%
Limousine
UberX
7%
% At least
once a
week
% At least
once a
month
10%
28%
1%
44%
21%
2%
1%
23%
17%
31%
Once a week
Less than once a month
13%
62%
20%
20% 4% 13% 8%
12% 11%
7% 10% 13%
33%
74%
18%
52%
39%
QT1. How familiar would you say that you are with the following types of transportation in the City of London?
QT2. Which, if any of the following types of transportation have you used in the City of London in the past 12 months? Base All Respondents n=500
QT3. How often, on average, have you used the following types of transportation in the past 12 months? Base: varies
57%
Public transportation
Limousine
FREQUENCY OF USAGE
Everyday
A couple times a month
Dont know
2016 Ipsos
Residents were given some information (see question wording below) regarding. the Citys regulation of taxis and limos. They were also
told that since mid-2015 in London, drivers have been using their own personal vehicles-for-hire and through a smart phone app (Uber)
been connecting to people who need rides, and that these vehicle-for-hire services are regulated by UberX.
Residents were asked to choose among three options what they think the City of London should do when it comes to vehicle-for-hire
services, such as Uber.
Two-thirds think the City should regulate drivers of vehicles-for-hire in the same way the City regulates drivers of taxis and limousines.
Much smaller proportions prefer that the City should allow drivers of private vehicles-for-hire to operate with different regulations than
drivers of taxis and limousines or not permit drivers of vehicles-for-hire to operate in the City of London.
Residents were asked their support for various regulation if vehicle-for-hire services, such as Uber, are allowed to operate in the
City of London.
At three-quarters of residents, the vast majority strongly support criminal record checks for drivers, followed by seven in ten for
vehicle safety checks and two-thirds for Ministry of Transportation driving record. About six in ten strongly support safety
emergency flashing lights, cameras in vehicles for driver and passenger safety and commercial insurance. About half strongly
support markings on vehicles to identify private vehicles-for-hire and customer service training and exams.
Strongly support
Somewhat support
Somewhat oppose
64%
6%
12%
18%
64%
Support
11% 3% 6% 5%
85%
14% 3%
1%5% 5%
85%
18%
4% 5% 7%
82%
6% 4% 6% 6%
77%
58%
57%
17%
6% 5% 7% 7%
74%
Commercial insurance
59%
15%
6% 6% 6% 8%
74%
8% 6% 9% 6%
72%
19%
47%
As you may know, the City of London regulates taxi and limousine services for pu
purposes of public safety and consumer protection. This means that these
servicess require a license to operate and must meet certain criteria
criteria, including dri
driver training, vehicle safety inspections, criminal record checks and
commercial insurance. The City also regulates fares. Since mid-2015 in London, drivers have been using their own personal vehicles-for-hire. The drivers have
been using a smart phone app (Uber) that connects people who need rides with drivers willing to provide them. UberX, through a third party, undertakes
driver criminal record checks and drivers must submit to a vehicle safety check. UberX vehicles cannot be older than 10 years. UberX regulates its own fares
which are shared with its customers via its phone app.
T4. When it comes to vehicle-for-hire services, such as Uber, do you think the City of London should...?
71%
Strongly oppose
75%
25%
52%
Fares
39%
39%
37%
19%
23%
20%
19%
10% 4% 9%
9% 7%
11%
15%
6%
8%
13%
12%
10%
7%
71%
9%
63%
12%
59%
11%
56%
T5. If vehicle-for-hire services, such as Uber, are allowed to operate in the City of London, would you say you strongly support,
somewhat support, neither support nor oppose, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose the City playing a role in administering and
enforcing the following regulations on these services?
Base All Respondents n=500
2016 Ipsos
10
2016 Ipsos
At eight in ten, satisfaction among Limousine users is highest of all. Six in ten of UberX users are satisfied, while just over half of taxi
users are satisfied. One-third of public transportation users are satisfied.
Limousine
79%
UberX
62%
Taxi
Public transportation
9%
20%
54%
35%
Satisfied (8-10)
28%
42%
6%
13%
13%
17%
25%
21%
3%
16%
4%
8%
ABOUT IPSOS
GAME CHANGERS
Dissatisfied (1-3)
www.ipsos.com
T6. Overall, how satisfied would you say that you are with
Base Have used services n=Varies
2016 Ipsos
11
2016 Ipsos
12