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captain cab
PostPosted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 7:41 am 
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Smartphone taxi firm Uber is coming to Bolton




CONTROVERSIAL smartphone taxi company Uber — which allows people to book a minicab using an app on their mobile phone — is coming to Bolton.

A 12-month licence has been granted by Bolton Council allowing Uber to operate in the borough — and the firm has told The Bolton News it is excited about the prospect of coming to the town.

However, local private hire companies are unhappy, with one taxi boss predicting that firms could join forces to protest against the council.

In June last year, parts of London were brought to a standstill as black-cab drivers held a mass protest against Uber and the Transport for London authority — claiming that the firm was not being governed by the proper taxi regulations.

A spokesman for the firm said: "Uber is really excited about the prospect of operating in Bolton.

“We believe our innovative service can add value to Bolton's transportation network and help the people of Bolton move about more efficiently.”

The company said it could not give an accurate timescale of when any operation might launch.

But Bolton Council’s licensing and regulation committee has given the green light for plans.

Uber connects passengers directly with drivers through a mobile phone application — instead of using a centralised booking service as is the case with most private hire firms.

The American company, with headquarters in California, has been launching in towns and cities across the world since its formation in 2009 and its service is currently available in 55 different countries.

The app shows users where all the Uber cars are in the local area and customers can hail one by tapping on the car nearest to them. The app also identifies the specific driver and tracks where the car is while a customer waits.

Rather than the traditional cash payment style, Uber journeys are debited directly to a customer’s bank account and are calculated according to how far a passenger travels or how much time a journey takes.

The company has caused upset as critics claim that booking an Uber taxi using the app is similar to hailing a minicab — something that is prohibited in the UK.

Nick Astley, boss of Bolton’s biggest private hire firm Metro, said he did not think the way in which Uber operates was fair to private hire firms or black cabs.

He said: “It is as though they have adopted a hackney carriage approach — but with private hire cars.

“In our case, if we were to take someone to Manchester Airport and quote them £27 at the start of the journey, that is what they would pay.

"But with Uber they would be charged for the time they are in the vehicle, like a black cab.

“I don’t think it’s going to really affect us because I think it is a bit of a novelty that people may try out once.

"But when they realise they could be paying more, I believe they will go back to the private hire firms they were using before.”

Mr Astley said a number of Bolton firms could consider taking action regarding the council's decision to allow Uber to operate in Bolton.

He added: “I think that could happen because I know a lot of people don’t believe that the licensing laws allow private hire cars to operate in that way.”

This notion was backed up by Asif Vali, who chairs Bolton’s Private Hire Operators Association.

He said: “This news won’t be taken well by the association of drivers and I think the council should be paying attention to that.

“About 80 per cent of our members are prepared to take strike action on this matter.”

The prospect of Uber cars on the streets in Bolton gathered a mixed response from shoppers in the town centre.

Ryan Mather, aged 28, from Farnworth, said: “I think it could make life easier and although I don’t use taxis a lot I think my partner would definitely use them.

“I don’t think it should be a problem for the existing firms as it is just a bit of competition, which is good.”

Amy Newham, aged 17, from Westhoughton said: “I use Metro taxis all the time and I find them very reliable — so I don’t think I would switch.

“I can see why some people would think it’s a good idea — but I prefer to speak to someone on the phone when booking a taxi.”

Uber cars are already an established presence on the streets of Manchester and city centre councillor Pat Karney said the firm has "split people down the middle".

He said: "There are some people who love the idea and others who see it as a real threat to jobs.

"It does seem unstoppable in terms of the technology."

Uber – factbox

-Uber passengers connect directly with drivers through a mobile phone app rather than a centralised controld room.

-The app shows users where all cars are in the nearby vicinity and allow them to pick the nearest one by simply clicking on it.

-The application provides details and a photograph of the driver as well as a map charting the progress of the journey.

-No money changes hands on journeys, with payment for journeys debited directly to a customer’s bank account and calculated according to how far a passenger travels or how much time a journey takes.

-The firm was established in the United States in 2009 and currently operates in 55 different countries across the world.

source: http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/12867236._/

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billybobs
PostPosted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 9:35 am 
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captain cab wrote:
Smartphone taxi firm Uber is coming to Bolton



[size=110]CONTROVERSIAL smartphone taxi company Uber — which allows people to book a minicab using an app on their mobile phone — is coming to Bolton.

A 12-month licence has been granted by Bolton Council allowing Uber to operate in the borough — and the firm has told The Bolton News it is excited about the prospect of coming to the town.

However, local private hire companies are unhappy, with one taxi boss predicting that firms could join forces to protest against the council.

In June last year, parts of London were brought to a standstill as black-cab drivers held a mass protest against Uber and the Transport for London authority — claiming that the firm was not being governed by the proper taxi regulations.

A spokesman for the firm said: "Uber is really excited about the prospect of operating in Bolton.

“We believe our innovative service can add value to Bolton's transportation network and help the people of Bolton move about more efficiently.”

The company said it could not give an accurate timescale of when any operation might launch.

But Bolton Council’s licensing and regulation committee has given the green light for plans.

Uber connects passengers directly with drivers through a mobile phone application — instead of using a centralised booking service as is the case with most private hire firms.

The American company, with headquarters in California, has been launching in towns and cities across the world since its formation in 2009 and its service is currently available in 55 different countries.

The app shows users where all the Uber cars are in the local area and customers can hail one by tapping on the car nearest to them. The app also identifies the specific driver and tracks where the car is while a customer waits.

Rather than the traditional cash payment style, Uber journeys are debited directly to a customer’s bank account and are calculated according to how far a passenger travels or how much time a journey takes.

The company has caused upset as critics claim that booking an Uber taxi using the app is similar to hailing a minicab — something that is prohibited in the UK.

Nick Astley, boss of Bolton’s biggest private hire firm Metro, said he did not think the way in which Uber operates was fair to private hire firms or black cabs.

He said: “It is as though they have adopted a hackney carriage approach — but with private hire cars.

“In our case, if we were to take someone to Manchester Airport and quote them £27 at the start of the journey, that is what they would pay.

"But with Uber they would be charged for the time they are in the vehicle, like a black cab.

“I don’t think it’s going to really affect us because I think it is a bit of a novelty that people may try out once.

"But when they realise they could be paying more, I believe they will go back to the private hire firms they were using before.”

Mr Astley said a number of Bolton firms could consider taking action regarding the council's decision to allow Uber to operate in Bolton.

He added: “I think that could happen because I know a lot of people don’t believe that the licensing laws allow private hire cars to operate in that way.”

This notion was backed up by Asif Vali, who chairs Bolton’s Private Hire Operators Association.

He said: “This news won’t be taken well by the association of drivers and I think the council should be paying attention to that.

“About 80 per cent of our members are prepared to take strike action on this matter.”

The prospect of Uber cars on the streets in Bolton gathered a mixed response from shoppers in the town centre.

Ryan Mather, aged 28, from Farnworth, said: “I think it could make life easier and although I don’t use taxis a lot I think my partner would definitely use them.

“I don’t think it should be a problem for the existing firms as it is just a bit of competition, which is good.”

Amy Newham, aged 17, from Westhoughton said: “I use Metro taxis all the time and I find them very reliable — so I don’t think I would switch.

“I can see why some people would think it’s a good idea — but I prefer to speak to someone on the phone when booking a taxi.”

Uber cars are already an established presence on the streets of Manchester and city centre councillor Pat Karney said the firm has "split people down the middle".

He said: "There are some people who love the idea and others who see it as a real threat to jobs.

"It does seem unstoppable in terms of the technology."

Uber – factbox

-Uber passengers connect directly with drivers through a mobile phone app rather than a centralised controld room.

-The app shows users where all cars are in the nearby vicinity and allow them to pick the nearest one by simply clicking on it.

-The application provides details and a photograph of the driver as well as a map charting the progress of the journey.

-No money changes hands on journeys, with payment for journeys debited directly to a customer’s bank account and calculated according to how far a passenger travels or how much time a journey takes.

-The firm was established in the United States in 2009 and currently operates in 55 different countries across the world.

source: http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/12867236._/

As far as I can tell, they have been granted a licence without planning permission or a premises to operate from. Every other firm of more than one vehicle has to have both of these before a licence can be issued.
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captain cab
PostPosted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 10:02 am 
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billybobs wrote:
As far as I can tell, they have been granted a licence without planning permission or a premises to operate from. Every other firm of more than one vehicle has to have both of these before a licence can be issued.


Is that those that pay? :wink:

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toots
PostPosted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 2:30 pm 
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billybobs wrote:
As far as I can tell, they have been granted a licence without planning permission or a premises to operate from. Every other firm of more than one vehicle has to have both of these before a licence can be issued.



It's not needed to have premises when you run an App so I don't see the need for one. I do however see the need to pay the license fee for the individual authorities so that it can go towards enforcement etc

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captain cab
PostPosted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 2:39 pm 
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toots wrote:


It's not needed to have premises when you run an App so I don't see the need for one. I do however see the need to pay the license fee for the individual authorities so that it can go towards enforcement etc


so where does the council go to inspect the records?

has nobody thought of that?

I don't want my licensing officers going to California on the back of my license fee.

note to self - get job as a licensing officer

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Nidge2
PostPosted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 2:53 pm 
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captain cab wrote:

note to self - get job as a licensing officer



Don't forget your golf clubs.
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Sussex
PostPosted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 11:54 pm 
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captain cab wrote:
so where does the council go to inspect the records?

Their computer screens.

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captain cab
PostPosted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 11:58 pm 
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Sussex wrote:
captain cab wrote:
so where does the council go to inspect the records?

Their computer screens.


naaa the computer should be in the office in the district

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toots
PostPosted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 12:05 am 
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captain cab wrote:
Sussex wrote:
captain cab wrote:
so where does the council go to inspect the records?

Their computer screens.


naaa the computer should be in the office in the district


They are given access to the booking system, they can see what a driver is given, when, where and to pick up whom etc. What is the need for an office in the district for?

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captain cab
PostPosted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 12:17 am 
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55 Licensing of operators of private hire vehicles.


(1) Subject to the provisions of this Part of this Act, a district council shall, on receipt of an application from any person for the grant to that person of a licence to operate private hire vehicles grant to that person an operator’s licence:

Provided that a district council shall not grant a licence unless they are satisfied that the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold an operator’s licence.

(2) Every licence granted under this section shall remain in force for such period, not being longer than five years, as a district council may specify in the licence.
.

(3) A district council may attach to the grant of a licence under this section such conditions as they may consider reasonably necessary.


(4) Any applicant aggrieved by the refusal of a district council to grant an operator’s licence under this section, or by any conditions attached to the grant of such a licence, may appeal to a magistrates’ court.

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christopherwk
PostPosted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 10:54 am 
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An office in the area is required. It needs to be for the drivers to submit their documents and other admin, collect the Uber iPhone, and any general queries which require human contact. Even if it's just a room in a block of serviced offices/block, with a couple of people there.
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christopherwk
PostPosted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 10:59 am 
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Quote:

-The app shows users where all cars are in the nearby vicinity and allow them to pick the nearest one by simply clicking on it.



No.

Yes, the app does show where the nearest cars there, but you can't choose which car you want.

The job will initially go to the nearest car anyway, and if that driver rejects the job, then the job request will go to the next driver/s, and so on.

There's an app in London called Bounce, which allows you to pick your driver - where you'll see a photo of the driver, their name, and photo of their car, before you can request one of them.
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toots
PostPosted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 2:06 pm 
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captain cab wrote:
55 Licensing of operators of private hire vehicles.


(1) Subject to the provisions of this Part of this Act, a district council shall, on receipt of an application from any person for the grant to that person of a licence to operate private hire vehicles grant to that person an operator’s licence:

Provided that a district council shall not grant a licence unless they are satisfied that the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold an operator’s licence.

(2) Every licence granted under this section shall remain in force for such period, not being longer than five years, as a district council may specify in the licence.
.

(3) A district council may attach to the grant of a licence under this section such conditions as they may consider reasonably necessary.


(4) Any applicant aggrieved by the refusal of a district council to grant an operator’s licence under this section, or by any conditions attached to the grant of such a licence, may appeal to a magistrates’ court.


Clearly on this occasion they didn't think it necessary for them to have an office there


christopherwk wrote:
An office in the area is required. It needs to be for the drivers to submit their documents and other admin, collect the Uber iPhone, and any general queries which require human contact. Even if it's just a room in a block of serviced offices/block, with a couple of people there
.

Do they have to have an Uber iphone? A lot of Apps are just downloaded to any iphone, here all licenses can be checked online live from the council so a permanent office isn't necessary or they could just hire a room in a local hotel :wink:

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mancityfan
PostPosted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 2:55 pm 
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I think there should be an operating address for an operators licence, and it should be in the area of the issuing authority.
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captain cab
PostPosted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 4:30 pm 
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mancityfan wrote:
I think there should be an operating address for an operators licence, and it should be in the area of the issuing authority.



I agree

I mean the proviso - any complaints contact acme enterprises, silicon valley, California cant be good.

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