So it's back to the Glasgow plying for hire problem after a gap of a couple of years due to you-know-what.
But nothing particularly new for those who've read all the previous stuff, but you'd think that with such an ongoing shortage of drivers then PHDs would be able to avoid plying for hire and the risk to their licence. But I suppose there's always temptation in an off-meter unbooked then-and-there hire
Taxi Fears - Warning as Glasgow Uber drivers use illegal ‘pirating’ to make more money
https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/s ... -pirating/
PRIVATE hire cars drivers in Glasgow are putting their licenses and customers at risk through a practise known as pirating – which involves charging punters cash in hand for use of their services.
After a lockdown of taxi drivers struggling to make ends meet as the crowds stayed cooped up indoors, some are now choosing to make the money back by taking illegal weekend trips.
A source told how they got into an Uber in a Sauchiehall street taxi rank on a Saturday night, only to be asked for £30 cash by a driver who did not put the journey through the app.
A spokesman for Glasgow Taxis said: "The biggest red flag for the public here is the fact that in the event of an accident it is likely that any such journeys will be uninsured.
"This is a tragedy waiting to happen - and we don't need to look far to see just how horrific in nature such a tragedy might be.
"From a Glasgow Taxis perspective, this is an issue we have been acutely aware of and have discussed both with Glasgow City Council and with Councillor Alex Wilson.
"Whilst we are assured that Taxi and Private Hire Enforcement are aware of this issue we feel that in the interests of public safety this must be treated as a priority to avert a tragedy.
"A cohesive approach is very much required. If Glasgow is serious about an integrated efficient transport system - which it seemed to be for two weeks during COP26 - it is essential to support taxis as part of this."
Glasgow City Council also acknowledged the dangers of these untraceable taxi rides, which could leave the taxi drivers without a job if caught in the act.
A spokesperson said: “All private hire drivers can only take pre-booked fares, either through an app or a booking office.
“A driver switching off an app or breaking contact with a booking office when taking a fare causes a public safety concern and also invalidates a driver’s insurance.
“Any complaint against a driver taking fares in these circumstances is likely to lead to the driver being called before the city’s Licensing and Regulatory Committee to account for their actions.
“If the complaint is found against the driver they can ultimately be banned from working as private hire drivers.”
Councillor Alex Wilson shared his personal concerns with the issue of pirating and believes the welfare of Glasgow citizens is not being taken seriously enough.
He said: “This is a problem Glasgow has a real issue with because we’re seen very much as a cash cow. It’s not necessarily a company’s fault, it’s certainly an individual’s fault. The city council is up against it and trying to keep a lid on it.
“I feel that we could do from more help with Police Scotland to try and eradicate this problem but it comes down to individuals. I think it puts public at risk because [pirate drivers’] insurance is invalid.
"If you pick up a passenger, and it doesn’t go through their meter, and it doesn’t go through the company that they’re registered with, whether Uber or Hampden or Glasgow Cabs, they invalidate their insurance.
“If a passenger is in a car and they have an accident or a life-threatening injury, they would probably look to get recompense by an insurance company. But there is no insurance, so that person is then left with debilitating injuries and no way of covering that.”
'TRAGEDY WAITING TO HAPPEN'
The Councillor also spoke about his plans to tackle the issue, which involved going down to Birmingham to see their model of preventing pirating, as that was a method Glasgow hoped to adopt. However, this progress was halted by lockdown.
He said: “As we recover, and gradually get back to normal, this is something I want to revisit, because at the end of the day it’s public health and safety that’s the most important thing. We have to go down the route of trying to eradicate this.”
An Uber spokesperson said: "All private-hire trips in the UK must be pre-booked. Uber has a zero tolerance policy and any driver found picking up unbooked trips or street hails will permanently lose access to the app.
"We report any incidents of plying for hire to the council and drivers risk having their private hire licence taken away.
"It's important that people only use a properly booked car: with Uber you will always see the driver’s name, photo and registration number so you can be sure it's the right booking."
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