Taxi Driver Online

(First piece about Darlington is a pending application, while the Northampton launch follows a licence being granted previously.)


A few questionable things here - the fare mentioned seems to be the PHTM two-mile HC run, so the statement about it being decided by operators in wrong.

Also thought the current operator numbers stated as four must be incorrect for a council with over 100,000 residents, but that's actually the figure stated in the latest DfT stats

Slightly odd statement by the council as well (as highlighted) - not really sure what that sort of stuff has to be with them as a licensing authority


Taxi firm Uber applies for licence to operate in Darlington

https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/ ... arlington/

Taxi firm Uber has applied for a licence to operate in Darlington.

The private hire company’s request is currently being considered by Darlington Borough Council and is due to be decided later this year.

Uber vehicles from nearby Stockton-on-Tees and Durham are often seen in the town as they can lawfully take cross-border bookings.

The global firm confirmed it had applied for a licence but would not comment further until the application process is complete.

It expanded its North East operations in Stockton earlier this year following demand from residents.

Uber has been rumoured to operate in Darlington for several years but local businesses previously warned of losing customers to the global taxi firm.

The current four private hire license operators in Darlington are 1AB (now ‘Take Me’); United; Falcon Cars; and GPS Travel.

Last October, Darlington Borough Council warned the number of taxi drivers in Darlington has declined by about 30 per cent since the pandemic, as fewer drivers struggle to service demand.

Addressing the rumours of Uber operating in the town then, the council said: “Uber has a business model that suits large towns and cities, particularly with a university student population. Developments planned for Darlington may make the town an attractive proposition to Uber in the future.”

The local authority added that there are currently enough licensed vehicles between operators in the town, but there are insufficient drivers to service the current demand at peak times.

Despite the service struggles, fares in Darlington continue to be the highest in the Tees Valley for a two-mile journey at £6.30 - however, charges are determined by the operator and not the council.

Local firm 1AB Taxis warned in 2021: “The difficulty for us as a local company that provides local jobs is if someone like Uber comes in they could take all of the local companies out of it.

“Since 1984, we have supported local charities and the NHS, and throughout Covid-19 we spent a lot of money locally.

“You wouldn’t get that commitment, service, and support from Uber. They will take all the local companies out of the market. We are very much a local company that wants to support the people of Darlington and the surrounding area.”

This, on the other hand, is more like Uber boilerplate style

But at least the press here getting the terminology a bit more accurate than normal


Hugely popular private hire company Uber launches in Northampton

https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news ... on-4699894

Rising demand for Ubers in Northampton has led to the private hire firm launching in town.

From today (Thursday), passengers in Northampton can now book a ride with Uber as the company launches across the town.

The launch is a response to the rising demand with over 1,500 local residents opening the Uber app looking for a trip every week.

Andrew Brem, General Manager of Uber UK, said: “We are extremely proud to launch Uber in Northampton where we have been seeing increased demand for our services. By bringing Uber to the town we want to help maximise earnings opportunities for drivers, boost transport options for passengers, and support the local economy.”

In the UK, driver numbers have grown by over 70% to over 100k since 2021. Uber operates in more than 60 towns and cities across the UK.

Customers can select a destination and pay through a single user-friendly app. All drivers are ‘professional and fully licensed’.

West Northamptonshire Council confirmed it granted Uber a licence to operate in the town.

To mark the launch, customers can get up to £20 off their next two rides until July 21, 2024.

Funny how the granting of an uber License coincides with de-zoning

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

A bit more here, but nothing regulars on here won't have heard before


Darlington taxi drivers' concern over rise of Uber

https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/ ... rise-uber/

Darlington taxi drivers have said they are concerned about the rise of Uber in the town.

The private hire company’s request is currently being considered by Darlington Borough Council and will be decided in August.

Drivers in the town are subjected to checks and licences issued by Darlington Borough Council.

However, Hackney Carriage operators warned Uber drivers could “flood” the town if its licence is approved.

Darlington Borough Council has been urged to ensure private hire drivers sign up to the same regulations as Hackney Carriage workers if the licence is approved.

Drivers say news of the global firm’s application has not come as a shock though because several Uber drivers already operate in the town.

Uber vehicles, which customers book using an app, travel through Darlington from Durham, Stockton, and Newcastle, as they can lawfully take cross-border bookings. Now, the global operator wants to establish a permanent presence.

“As soon as Uber comes here permanently they’re going to flood the town with daft amounts of taxis from outside the area,” said Harry Smith, who works out of Darlington Station. “That is going to force us out.”

Mr Smith, who drives one of the red taxis associated with the town, said local drivers have had to diversify to keep up with the competition from firms like Uber.

He added: “The market is tough, there are people at the station who only do around £40 a day. As a Hackney Carriage driver that’s not really enough to get by.”

Drivers based at the railway station said working the school run has become a vital part of their business and say their local knowledge and service cannot be matched by others. They also pointed to the inconsistent prices provided by Uber compared to their rates.

“In the town, there’s a stigma around taxis where people say we don’t work hard, long enough, or are not good enough but we all do a proper job and are held accountable by the council,” said Mr Smith. “As soon as this transition happens people won’t realise the alligator they’re bringing into the hen house.

“This is a done deal and there’s no way we can stop this from happening.”

Michael Winn, another driver who works out of the station, warned how Hackney Carriage drivers have to “jump through hoops” to complete council-issued tests and said Uber drivers should do the same.

He said: “We’re not getting new drivers in to drive Hackney Carriages because it’s too hard to do the test. We’ve got to be on a level playing field.

“It’s ridiculous what’s going on.”

Darlington Borough Council said Uber’s application will be considered by a licensing committee on August 13. A spokesman added: “This will be in line with licensing legislation and the council’s own licensing policies. No decision has been made yet.”

An Uber spokesman said: “Uber operates according to the high standards set across the industry and abides by the same regulations as all other private hire operators.

“We look to provide the best possible experience for passengers and engage closely with councils across the country. Uber also leads the industry in providing every driver a pension, holiday pay, and sickness protection.”

Although I'd guess maybe the more important factor is that they'd then be able to use locally-plated cars...


Chances of that happening?


Alligator?

I doubt they get foxes that far North

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

As opposed to flooding the town if they don't get approved?

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IDFIMH

Back to Northampton, and Bounds making it sound like they're not worried, and obviously they're quite a significant player...

Mainly PR, though, both anti-Uber and pro-Bounds. They're making it sound like Uber not a threat, but bet they're actually pooping their pants


Well-known private hire driver firm reacts to news that hugely popular Uber is now in Northampton

One of Northampton’s biggest private hire driver firms has reacted to the news that the hugely popular Uber is now in town.

On Thursday (July 11), Uber launched across the town following rising demand for its services in Northampton.

The launch is a response to the rising demand with over 1,500 local residents opening the Uber app looking for a trip every week, according to the firm.

Andrew Brem, general manager of Uber UK, said: “We are extremely proud to launch Uber in Northampton where we have been seeing increased demand for our services. By bringing Uber to the town we want to help maximise earnings opportunities for drivers, boost transport options for passengers, and support the local economy.”

Bounds Taxis, a major name in the industry in Northampton, remains confident it will be business as usual for them.

Stuart Day, national operations director at Bounds, said: “As a group, we have Uber in lots of cities that we also have a presence. They offer customers and drivers deals to start with and within a short period of time they put all their prices up once they have you on board.

"We as a company have a national app similar to Uber, but what we have over and above Uber is the personal service where we have staff at the end of the phone to answer all your calls and respond to any issues our customers or drivers may have. We offer the personal touch which Uber unfortunately cannot. Being an app only based company they also exclude the older generation that struggle with using technology. We are available for each and every member of the community regardless of their technological abilities.”

Other major private hire firms in Northampton have also been contacted for comment.

Mark Mullen, operations manager at Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID), added: “We are pleased to see the company launch in the town. We look forward to working closely with them to deliver a first-class service to everyone enjoying a visit to Northampton.”

Uber operates in more than 60 towns and cities across the UK. Customers can select a destination and pay through a single user-friendly app. All drivers are “professional and fully licensed”.

West Northamptonshire Council confirmed it granted Uber a licence to operate in the town.

Uber will take a load of their drivers, they may wish to act the ostrich, but they will suffer.

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IDFIMH

Council approves Uber licence to operate in town

Uber has been granted a licence to operate in a Teesside town.

Darlington Borough Council approved the private hire company's application, with a licensing condition ordering all drivers to undergo the same training as those from other companies.

It comes after local cabbies warned they could struggle to compete with the influx of new drivers and urged the local authority to ensure they sign up to the same regulations.

Uber said it followed local authority standards to make sure all vehicles were fit for purpose and safe to transport passengers.

One taxi driver had previously said Uber's heavily discounted fares are pricing out cabbies.

Harry Smith said: "As soon as Uber comes here permanently they're going to flood the town with daft amounts of taxis from outside the area. That is going to force us out."

Colin Dobson, the council's licensing manager, said Uber would work under the same framework as its current licensed vehicles.

He added: "They're licensed by the same standards and policy. It's really business as usual and it's no different to any other private operator that comes into Darlington."

More identifiable

Despite not having a licence in the town, Uber drivers from elsewhere have been allowed to operate legally using licences granted in Newcastle, Durham, Stockton, and Middlesbrough.

The meeting heard how some Uber cars are more identifiable than others because of the amount of clear signage due to differing conditions within each local authority, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Labour's Sonia Kane said it was a "shame" that Uber had no plans to allow people to book by phone, but the committee voted to approve the application.

She said: "We're happy to grant the licence with one condition: all Uber drivers undergo the same training, that way we can assure they're all on the same page."

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IDFIMH

Everyone is being treated the same, except for those not licensed locally who won't be.

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IDFIMH

100% of Uber's bookings are via a phone FFS.

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IDFIMH

good luck booking one from an old fashioned land line !

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Except that they'll be working alongside Uber cars licensed by several other licensing authorities.

So not really 'business as usual'


That's because in that regard it really is 'business as usual' as opposed to making it sound like Uber might have been given preferential treatment as regards local licensing, and making it sound like you're doing everyone a favour

Taxi driver concern over Uber 'saturation'

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1jd44ypzj0o

Taxi drivers have expressed concern about an increase in Uber drivers from elsewhere "over-saturating" the local market.

Some cabbies in Darlington said they have resorted to travelling to other towns to pick up work.

They have urged the council to prioritise locals and cap the number of drivers from elsewhere.

Darlington Borough Council said customers could make their own decisions but it would continue to monitor the situation. Uber has been approached for comment.

It is claimed Newcastle-based drivers are capitalising on Uber recently receiving a licence to operate in Darlington.

One driver, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service more and more were coming into the town every week.

He said: "All these Newcastle drivers are taking over and we're getting no chance at all."

Dozens of other local drivers and companies share his worries, he said, adding that he currently gets more jobs in Durham City despite living in Darlington.

A spokesperson for the Labour-led council said: "Taxi customers can decide for themselves where they choose to place their business, based on factors that are most important to them – such as convenience, availability and value for money.

"We will of course monitor the situation and licensing will continue to work with the other local authorities to check their drivers/vehicles are appropriately licensed."

The Local Democracy Reporting Service has contacted Uber for a comment, but has not had a response to requests.

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IDFIMH