‘There are political moves afoot to stop youngsters from taking low-cost rides’

Uber’s ban from London robs young people of their social mobility, argues Mike Rutherford

Britain has a massive and massively unreported problem. At the centre of it are millions of young adults who struggle to afford to take lessons and buy cars, only to be charged huge sums to insure them.

“No matter,” our political leaders smugly say. They expect youngsters to use bikes – the most dangerous mode of road transport in terms of deaths and injuries per mile travelled. Alternatively, there’s a patchy bus ‘service’ that depletes or dies at the very times (nights/weekends) kids want to enjoy a social life. Or there are trains which are becoming prohibitively expensive for people to use – especially those in relatively low-paid first jobs, with student debts around their necks and high rents to pay.

Uber loses London licence - latest updates

Politicians talk of social mobility and opportunity yet in effect rob young adults of such things by making it unaffordable for them to get a foot on the car ladder. Unlike public transport, these personal mobility machines operate 24/7 in all weathers. They enable owners or users to get to places of work or education, to visit family, meet new people, experience new things. Lately those who couldn’t afford to buy and run cars of their own have found an affordable way to ride in those belonging to others.

The likes of Uber can be thanked for this; it’s created jobs for modestly paid freelance drivers who charge modest prices for a lift in modest motors. And at the same time, it’s enabled youngsters and others to team up, chip in and travel to places they previously could not get to – or couldn’t afford to get to – by trains manned by excessively paid drivers.

Suddenly, nightclubs, music venues, theatres and festivals are within reach. People can get out and about instead of being stuck at home. Yet there are political moves afoot to stop cash-strapped youngsters and others from taking generally low-cost rides in cars belonging to Uber drivers. Millions of social lives will, once again, be severely curtailed. Tens of thousands of drivers will lose their jobs as freelance drivers.

It’s madness. To the politicians I say this: start asking what we the public want, and stop telling us what you think should be dumped on us. We want the Uber-like tech that gives us cheap rides, we want petrol and diesel engines, we want cars with qualified drivers at the wheel. So how come our arrogant leaders are so anti-Uber, so intolerant of internal combustion engines and so keen on making driveable cars driverless?

Is driving too expensive for young people? Is Uber an important access point to the road? Tell us what you think below! 

Chief columnist

Mike was one of the founding fathers of Auto Express in 1988. He's been motoring editor on four tabloid newspapers - London Evening News, The Sun, News of the World & Daily Mirror. He was also a weekly columnist on the Daily Telegraph, The Independent and The Sunday Times. 

Most Popular

‘Forget leasing a car, a cut-price van should be your next everyday vehicle’
Opinion - Fiat Scudo
Opinion

‘Forget leasing a car, a cut-price van should be your next everyday vehicle’

With some huge savings to be had, Mike Rutherford thinks a van could be the perfect vehicle
3 Dec 2023
Deal of the Day: Spacious Skoda Superb is a peerless estate for £223 a month
Skoda Superb Estate - front tracking
News

Deal of the Day: Spacious Skoda Superb is a peerless estate for £223 a month

The Superb is one of our favourite estates and our Deal of the Day for Monday 4 December
4 Dec 2023
New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates
Renault 5 EV concept at 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed
News

New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates

Renault’s reborn Renault 5 will start from €25,000 in Europe, suggesting a circa-£30k price in the UK. It's due on sale in the summer of 2024. Here's …
1 Dec 2023