Taxi Driver Online

Nothing at all to see here, and the usual boilerplate from Uber.

Except that it's the Isle of Wight

Which, unlike the Isle of Man, and Jersey and Guernsey, is just another English local authority in administrative terms.

So nothing to stop them using cars plated by the nearby onshore councils - there's quite a lot of out-of-area working going on in the adjacent Southampton and Portsmouth/Hampshire areas, and using councils like Havant and New Forest, isn't there?

And Chichester isn't that far away either - one of Sussex's favourites?

Of course, the fact that the Isle of Wight is offshore is bound to act as a deterrent to getting badged and plated elsewhere. But you never know. Of course, a huge factor could be the driver conditions, vehicle spec and fees set by Isle of Wight Council.


Uber to launch on the Isle of Wight in the coming months

https://www.countypress.co.uk/news/2602 ... ng-months/

Global transport company Uber is coming to the Isle of Wight, the County Press can reveal.

An operator's licence has been issued by the Isle of Wight Council, allowing the multinational firm to set up and run as a private hire operator on the Island.

Uber told the CP it sees strong demand on the Island, particularly during the Isle of Wight Festival.

An Uber spokesperson said: “We are pleased to have been given a licence to operate on the Isle of Wight and we’re working on our plans to launch in the coming months.

"We’re excited about the opportunity to give people a safe, affordable and easy option to get where they need to go.

“Importantly, this will also offer new earning opportunities for local drivers.

"On Uber, all drivers have access to industry leading worker rights such as holiday entitlement and access to a pension scheme, as well as formal representation through GMB Union.”

The American company provides food delivery and ride-hailing services, acting as an alternative to traditional taxis.

Those requiring a ride hail a car via through a smartphone app.

A spokesperson for the council said: "The council’s licensing team will be working with Uber over the coming months as they set up their operations on the Island."

It is envisaged Uber will be operational in the coming months.

Not sure there would be too much cross border working, as the Solent is quite a barrier, and the ferry is one of the dearest (pounds per mile) crossings in the world.

I suppose someone might already be a licensed holder elsewhere, or they could obtain one, but I doubt the usual Uber abuse will occur there.

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IDFIMH

I did wonder about communications with the mainland, Sussex, and whether it was relatively easy by ferry standards, or maybe quite onerous. But I suppose it depends on a lot of factors. I mean, if drivers are still plating in Wolverhampton to work a couple of hundred miles away then maybe one trip to the mainland from the IoW and back maybe once or twice a year isn't such a big deal (I'm assuming Wolverhampton drivers now have to visit the city at least once a year or whatever, but who knows )

Anyway, usual stuff here that we've heard a zillion times before, for good or bad.

Of course, they're maybe right in saying that Uber's model would be a bit different on the island as opposed to a big city or urban area. But, just as the legacy trade adapts according to the local geography, demographics etc, so will Uber


Uber Isle of Wight arrival prompts concern for taxi drivers

https://www.countypress.co.uk/news/2603 ... sle-wight/

Isle of Wight taxi drivers have questioned the viability of Uber coming to the Island as they prepare for a loss in trade.

Last week, Uber confirmed to the County Press an operator's licence had been issued to the multinational firm by the Isle of Wight Council.

The company said it was excited to 'give people a safe, affordable and easy option to get where they need to go' - but taxi drivers on the Island think differently.

Matt Hayles, an independent cab driver on the Island for 14 years, was dismayed at the announcement.

He said: "They will ruin the business. They will undercut everybody to promote the business and then whack up the prices. It will not work over here, there's not the footfall.

"The general public don't realise - they think that the taxi drivers have had it good for a long time, but we do double the average person's hours to make the same money."


Image: Isle of Wight County Press

Matt said that licensed cab drivers spend a lot of money and 'jump through a lot of hoops' to stay on the roads and receive 'little back from the council', and were not consulted on the decision to give Uber an operational licence.

"They've got money to throw at advertising to build the business up. Any other drivers will have to work two, three, four times harder to earn the same money."

Karoly Katona, from Leaders Cabs, said: "For us, it's bad, for the customers, it's good - it depends on the point of view."

"If there are more cars, there are less jobs. It will impact the night time trade.

"Uber works in big cities - we will see how it does over here."


Image: Isle of Wight County Press

Asem Ivanov, from OK Taxis, questioned how Uber's model would work on the Island.

He said: "The way it works on the mainland, I don't think it's going to work the same here.

"The whole idea behind Uber is to do 'A to B to C'. If I'm going from here to drop somebody to Ventnor, the chance of getting a return journey is pretty much zero.

"But let's see - it's a big company, in a way I am 50/50. Maybe the local firms will improve in some way. But I don't think it will be as cheap as people think it will be."

Drivers questioned the validity of the model amid the current fuel crisis and said Uber coming to the Island could put taxi firms out of business.

The Isle of Wight Council said its policy relating to Private Hire or Hackney Carriage licences does not require consultation with the trade or the public and Uber's applicaton was considered and granted as per the policy.

The Council said it is not for the authority to oversee the business models or plans of applicants.

In a statement, Uber said: "We are pleased to have been granted a licence to operate by Isle of Wight council, which will help boost earning opportunities for local drivers, provide passengers with greater transport options across the area and support the economy.”

An open-minded assessment.

I think he is saying if I can double up on jobs, then I might give it a go.

Clearly, the hackney pricing issue will not be Uber's cup of tea, but if hackneys are all that's available, then maybe some of the independents could benefit.

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IDFIMH