Taxi Driver Online

Hundreds of Sheffield taxi drivers protest against ride hailing firm Veezu raising commission rate

https://www.itv.com/news/calendar/2024- ... ares-by-75

Hundreds of angry taxi drivers have protested outside the offices of ride hailing platform Veezu against new terms being introduced which they say will reduce their income.

Around 500 drivers who work for Veezu in Sheffield and Rotherham gathered to voice their anger at a decision to decrease fares and increase the size of the commission the company takes from each journey.

The drivers say Veezu recently announced they would raise the commission rate from 20% to 35% - an increase of 75%.

Veezu bought out City Taxis in Sheffield at the beginning of last year, inheriting the more than 2,000 drivers who worked with the firm.

Mujahid Hussain, who's been a taxi driver for over 10 years, said the changes coming amid a cost of living crisis would push drivers into financial hardship.

"Fuel prices are increasing, in general you've got bills to pay, insurance, everything's increasing," he said.

"It's a difficult situation for everybody, in general the public, and we're also part of the public, we've got families to feed, we've got bills to pay, so it does vastly affect all the drivers."

"I've got not choice but to work seven days a week just to achieve the targets they have implemented otherwise I would try and take a day or two off to spend time with the kids, but this is looking very rare now at the moment."


Veezu took over City Taxis in Sheffield last year.
The drivers say that once the new commission has been taken and they've taken out their costs for petrol, they would be left with an amount that would be less than the minimum wage.

At the same time as increasing the commission it takes Veezu is also reducing the cost of fares charged to help it's users. But the drivers say their needs are being over looked.

One driver said that although there was "no doubt" the drivers are self-employed, Veezu should "look after" them.

Another said the company wanted to "delete us".

"I have a mortgage, I have got kids to look after, I have got more expense burden on myself than the young drivers have," he added.

Although self-employed, the drivers say they will band together to strike to fight the changes.

GMB Union organiser Bob McNeil said: "At the same time, [Veezu] are bringing more people into the business.

"The work has not increased, but they are bringing more people in, so again it is having a massive impact on the wage that [the drivers] can earn and they are saying they can't afford it and they are struggling to live."

A spokesperson for Veezu said: "As self-employed drivers running their own businesses, several of the drivers have proposed commercial terms which Veezu is considering and will be discussing with them in the coming weeks.

"As self-employed individuals in business, the drivers operate across several different licensed operators in Sheffield and can decide which operator they use.

"Veezu hopes that the drivers continue to operate via our system, but we recognise this is a commercial market and that drivers will choose to drive with different and multiple operators."

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IDFIMH

In other words, 'If you don't like it go f*** yourselves'.

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IDFIMH

"Veezu Sheffield are taking more money from us than ever before and drivers are feeling the pinch"

https://www.thestar.co.uk/business/cons ... ny-4602268

More pictures and video of the protest.

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IDFIMH

since when is Veezu a ride hailing platform ?

this will be the pattern because big businesses are usually built on massive debts so once they take on another unit they have to squeeze it for cash to service that debt

look at the mess thames water are in now or Manchester united; the buyers usually get to line their own pockets but the customers foot the bill

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Taxis Are Public Transport too

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There is an alternative to cab driving and that is bus driving. Why don't some of these drivers widen their horizons and give it a try? If they are any good the big bus companies will take them on and train them, they will get more than minimum wages and paid holidays as well as days off! Hours can be flexible to suit their needs as well.

I don't regret giving up ph driving on the Romney Marsh, there was very little money around in that area.

more on this as driver being interviewed breaks down

https://shefnews.co.uk/index.php/2024/04/26/watch-veezu-driver-reacts-to-protests-and-the-issues-taxi-drivers-in-sheffield-face/

Veezu driver Mehrdad breaks down in interview over the reasons why drivers for the company protested outside their offices this week.

Furious drivers have said that the amount they will have to hand over in commission is now set to increase from 20% to 35%. Also, the company lowering fares have impacted them too, with them saying that they aren’t paid as much as they would with a higher price for the customer, which they say is unlike rivals such as Uber.

Protests earlier on in the week took place outside the Sheffield offices of Veezu, with many turning out to voice their anger at the change.

Mehrdad, who works for both Uber and Veezu, explains that it makes accepting journeys on the app ‘’less worthwhile.”

“Out of all the trips I accept daily, probably only two or three are Veezu. The majority by far are through Uber. They [the companies] are incomparable.”

In the video below he breaks down the problems and why he and so many drivers are feeling outraged.

https://youtu.be/iagJLDMp-y8

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Taxis Are Public Transport too

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I would guess one of the reasons Veezu is charging such a high commission is because drivers are picking and choosing work between operators.

The more work they take from Veezu the lower the commission.

Maybe Veezu needs to up the rates they charge punters which will encourage drivers to take the work.

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IDFIMH