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Hundreds of non local Uber cars working Coventry
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Author:  Sussex [ Mon Oct 16, 2017 8:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Hundreds of non local Uber cars working Coventry
This is the staggering number of Wolverhampton taxi drivers exploiting loophole to work in Coventry

Council bosses have revealed the staggering number of Wolverhampton taxi drivers operating out of Coventry. A meeting between senior Coventry politicians and Wolverhampton councillors took place to tackle the influx of Uber cabs operating out of Coventry using Wolverhampton licenses. But it was revealed during this meeting that Wolverhampton City Council license 241 taxi drivers with Coventry addresses - and it was acknowledged that it is in this area that these drivers actually operate.

Having previously campaigned for tighter regulation in neighbouring cities, Cllr Jayne Innes, Coventry City Council’s cabinet member for city services, was joined by Coventry South MP Jim [edited by admin] in meeting with Wolverhampton City Council’s cabinet member for city environment Cllr Steve Evans, and chair of licensing committee Cllr Alan Bolshaw.

Cllr Innes said: “I think everyone in Coventry now knows that Uber is not licensed to operate taxis here in Coventry. Here in Coventry we have black cabs, a gold standard delivering the very best taxi service for local people, in addition to being a powerful symbol of our nation. “Here in Coventry we place tight rules and regulations on our taxi drivers. We require them to have excellent local knowledge, good standards of English, to undergo disabilities and child sexual exploitation training, and to have their vehicles checked on a six monthly basis. It goes without saying they also need to be DBS cleared.

“Our taxi licensing process is based on repeated face-to-face contact. This is one of the ways we differ from Wolverhampton, where there is only the need for one face-to-face meeting between the council and each driver. “In Wolverhampton most of the application process takes place online, and it is possible for a new taxi driver to be taking fares just two weeks after first accessing the website. “I am fighting for safe professional taxis here in Coventry. It is frustrating that taxi law has not kept pace with technological advances. It is now possible for customers to use a phone app for taxi bookings, and this means taxi drivers can effectively adopt a ‘flag of convenience’ to operate outside the rules. This places drivers who play by the rules at a disadvantage.”

Following the two hour meeting, greater co-operation between the two councils was agreed upon, with Cllr Innes saying: “The meeting was pretty frank at points. “Wolverhampton City Council admitted that they license 241 taxi drivers with addresses in Coventry. And they acknowledge these drivers work in the Coventry area, and not Wolverhampton. “As Wolverhampton is granting licenses to taxi drivers that it will be up to Coventry City Council to manage on a day-to-day basis, the fees paid by Coventry taxi drivers are essentially subsidising Wolverhampton’s taxi office.

“I explained this subsidy is not acceptable, and Wolverhampton City Council has agreed to provide enforcement of Wolverhampton-licensed taxis in Coventry. “Wolverhampton City Council has also agreed to contact their Coventry-based taxi drivers with any messages Coventry City Council needs to communicate. We need to issue messages to local drivers on a variety of occasions through the year, eg when there is a big event in the city, or when there are major road works. “Wolverhampton council has also agreed to ask Coventry-based applicants to consider choosing to license in Coventry instead.”

Coventry South MP, Jim [edited by admin] said; “The issue of Uber operating in our city has been raised with me time and time again. It’s vital that our taxi drivers are not undercut and that the process they go through in terms of getting a license is not undermined by drivers being able to by-pass this process. “It was useful to hear about how Wolverhampton operate and I’m grateful to them for meeting with us. I’m delighted that working with the council here in Coventry that some progress seems to be being made although it is actions not words that will make the difference.”
Author:  Sussex [ Mon Oct 16, 2017 8:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hundreds of non local Uber cars working Coventry
Sussex wrote:
“Wolverhampton council has also agreed to ask Coventry-based applicants to consider choosing to license in Coventry instead.”


Image
Author:  captain cab [ Mon Oct 16, 2017 8:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hundreds of non local Uber cars working Coventry
Quote:
This is the staggering number of Wolverhampton taxi drivers exploiting loophole to work in Coventry


It cant be a loophole when its lawfully allowed.
Author:  edders23 [ Mon Oct 16, 2017 9:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hundreds of non local Uber cars working Coventry
we now HAVE to sign a declaration stating that we are working predominantly within our area

so if ours is doing it why aren't all councils because it appears to be recommended guidance ?
Author:  MR T [ Tue Oct 17, 2017 12:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hundreds of non local Uber cars working Coventry
edders23 wrote:
we now HAVE to sign a declaration stating that we are working predominantly within our area

so if ours is doing it why aren't all councils because it appears to be recommended guidance ?

It is not recommended guidance.
Author:  grandad [ Tue Oct 17, 2017 8:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hundreds of non local Uber cars working Coventry
captain cab wrote:
Quote:
This is the staggering number of Wolverhampton taxi drivers exploiting loophole to work in Coventry


It cant be a loophole when its lawfully allowed.

Are all the jobs that these Wolverhampton drivers are carrying out going through a Wolverhampton office?
Author:  sasha [ Tue Oct 17, 2017 7:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hundreds of non local Uber cars working Coventry
edders23 wrote:
we now HAVE to sign a declaration stating that we are working predominantly within our area
And how would they know if it were true or not ? Are licensing going to follow you 24/7 ?
Author:  MR T [ Tue Oct 17, 2017 8:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hundreds of non local Uber cars working Coventry
sasha wrote:
edders23 wrote:
we now HAVE to sign a declaration stating that we are working predominantly within our area
And how would they know if it were true or not ? Are licensing going to follow you 24/7 ?


What they are doing here is contacting the firm you work for and seeing how many jobs a day/week you are taking.
I believe that Knowsley are facing a legal challenge concerning the conditions that a driver must work primarily in their own area. (Judicial review)
Author:  Nidge2 [ Wed Oct 18, 2017 6:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hundreds of non local Uber cars working Coventry
grandad wrote:
Are all the jobs that these Wolverhampton drivers are carrying out going through a Wolverhampton office?


They'll be on a Coventry PH circuit like they are in Mansfield.
Author:  grandad [ Wed Oct 18, 2017 9:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hundreds of non local Uber cars working Coventry
Nidge2 wrote:
grandad wrote:
Are all the jobs that these Wolverhampton drivers are carrying out going through a Wolverhampton office?


They'll be on a Coventry PH circuit like they are in Mansfield.

Then all 3 licenses don't match.
Author:  captain cab [ Wed Oct 18, 2017 7:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hundreds of non local Uber cars working Coventry
grandad wrote:
Nidge2 wrote:
grandad wrote:
Are all the jobs that these Wolverhampton drivers are carrying out going through a Wolverhampton office?


They'll be on a Coventry PH circuit like they are in Mansfield.

Then all 3 licenses don't match.


The trick is to have a really dubious firm in Wolverhampton, then for the office to send job details from Mansfield to Wolverhampton ;)
Author:  heathcote [ Wed Oct 18, 2017 9:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hundreds of non local Uber cars working Coventry
captain cab wrote:
grandad wrote:
Nidge2 wrote:
grandad wrote:
Are all the jobs that these Wolverhampton drivers are carrying out going through a Wolverhampton office?


They'll be on a Coventry PH circuit like they are in Mansfield.

Then all 3 licenses don't match.


The trick is to have a really dubious firm in Wolverhampton, then for the office to send job details from Mansfield to Wolverhampton ;)


Do you not think there is sufficient dubious firms around now without encouraging more.
Author:  captain cab [ Thu Oct 19, 2017 8:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hundreds of non local Uber cars working Coventry
heathcote wrote:

Do you not think there is sufficient dubious firms around now without encouraging more.


I think I once saw an advert
Author:  edders23 [ Fri Oct 20, 2017 4:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hundreds of non local Uber cars working Coventry
update

'Forcing us off the roads': black cab drivers hit out at Wolverhampton licensed Ubers for taking business

Coventry licensed cab drivers slammed Uber for taking their business at a meeting today as Coventry City Council vowed to campaign for safe professional taxis in the city.

Black cab drivers in the city say Uber drivers undercut their prices and do not have the same standard of safety checks that they do.


Coventry licensed cab driver Mohammad Amjad said: “Uber are undercutting our prices. These people are forcing us off the roads.

“A driver might be refused a license in Coventry, but easily get one from Wolverhampton. But Coventry City Council don’t have authority over outside vehicles.
Author:  Sussex [ Fri Oct 20, 2017 6:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hundreds of non local Uber cars working Coventry
edders23 wrote:
“A driver might be refused a license in Coventry, but easily get one from Wolverhampton. But Coventry City Council don’t have authority over outside vehicles.

It appears from LOs I have spoken to that Wolverhampton is the new Berwick. :sad:

By all accounts you can get a license without ever going to the licensing area. :sad:
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