Taxi Driver Online

Decision on Uber's future in Brighton and Hove could result in disappointment

THE future of taxi-hailing app Uber in Brighton and Hove is to be decided in a closed-door meeting tomorrow, The Argus can reveal.

Cab companies have fiercely criticised the secrecy surrounding the relicencing decision, in the wake of Transport for London’s move last month not to renew Uber’s licence to operate in the capital.

The Argus understands the decision will be taken by council officers in conjunction with the three councillors who are their party leads for licensing.

A vote between councillors Jackie O’Quinn, Labour, Linda Hyde, Conservative and Lizzie Deane, Green, resulted in the decision to hold the meeting behind closed doors.

Cllr Hyde has consistently and publicly said she was in favour of an open meeting.

An announcement on the future of Uber in Brighton and Hove will be made after the meeting concludes.

Cllr Hyde said: “All I wanted to be clear about was that there should be a public meeting.

“That doesn’t mean I have already made up my mind one way or the other.”

Officers are due to present evidence on the fitness or otherwise of Uber to hold the licence to provide taxi services in the city.

In a letter to council officers, Streamline Taxis’ vice-chairman John Streeter said: “The licensed trade here in Brighton and Hove are bitterly disappointed that council officers and councillors have apparently decided not to hold a public enquiry into Uber’s application to renew their current licence here in our city.”

A previous letter from the city’s three largest taxi firms, Streamline, Radio Cabs, and City Cabs, alleged: “Uber Britannia Ltd is not and cannot be a fit and proper person to hold such a licence.”

The firms said Uber had broken its promised to use only locally-licenced drivers. The letter added: “We remain also very concerned that such an operator attempts to dilute, if not ignore altogether, the very high standards prescribed by the council’s Blue Book.”

In September, a petition with more than 1,000 signatures was presented to the council, asking them to re-examine the licence.

Rob Lawrie, a Brighton taxi driver, said: “Originally, Uber told us they would only use Brighton and Hove vehicles. Since then, Uber has paid drivers to come in from out of town and promised them at least the minimum wage.

“Every weekend we have 200 to 250 out-of-town drivers coming in, which is reducing the income of all Brighton drivers by 25 per cent.”

Uber launched in the city on October 28 last year, after being given a licence in October 2015 after four days of deliberations by the council. The licence will expire on November 4.

The company was granted its licence on the condition it abides by all the conditions in the Blue Book – a set of guidelines for the local cab trade.

Uber’s Fred Jones said: “More choice and competition is good for consumers as it raises service levels across the board. Uber has been embraced in Brighton with over 125,000 people using the app this year alone. Uber does not set shifts so is also empowering Brighton’s private hire drivers. We hope to continue to provide the app Brightoners have come to rely on.”

source: http://www.theargus.co.uk/NEWS/15627912 ... pointment/

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

The brown package has already entered the building.

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Never trust a Green.

And in this case never trust a Red.

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IDFIMH

Money always wins against principle in this country at least

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

The announcement of the decision is to be made on Thursday as all the evidence has been considered,reason for delay is that they are fighting over the brown envelope.

Uber’s Brighton licence renewed – but only for six months


Brighton and Hove City Council has extended Uber’s licence to operate a taxi service in the city – but only for a further six months while it monitors the implications of the loss of its London licence.

The decision on the length of the extension, which was made yesterday by licensing officers, was taken to allow the council to monitor the outcome of the Transport for London Uber decision, and consider whether any of the information arising from the case had direct implications for the operation in the city.

It also allows the council more time to negotiate with Uber about a number of proposed conditions for operating in the city.

The taxi hailing app’s operating licence in London was not renewed in September after Transport for London said it showed “a lack of corporate responsibility in relation to a number of issues which have potential public safety and security implications”.

These including driver security checks, dealing with serious complaints and the possible use of software which bars public officials from using the app to monitor how the company complies the licence.

Brighton and Hove taxi drivers had urged the city council not to renew the lift-sharing company’s licence here either, partly on the basis it is breaking a verbal assurance made at the original licence hearing to use only drivers licensed in the city.

A council spokesman said: “In making this week’s decision, council officers studied reports and written submissions from interested parties. While there was no evidence to suggest that public safety had been compromised, there are a number of concerns and Uber are working with the council to address these and reassure residents and visitors about their safety.

“Under national law, licensed drivers can operate anywhere in the country, so drivers licensed elsewhere are allowed to operate in the city. Many authorities have fewer conditions attached to their licensing than is the case here.

“When licensing operators, Brighton and Hove City Council work with them to maintain and enhance standards of safety, which includes trying to ensure that drivers not licensed locally can be as accountable as possible.

“We’re working with Uber to ensure safety standards are maintained and address the challenges brought about by technological changes.

“All Brighton and Hove private hire and Hackney Carriage drivers in the city operate under the same licences and the same guidelines contained in the Blue Book, whichever company they drive for. Likewise, all drivers undergo the same background checks.

“Following the council’s standard procedure for renewing taxi operators’ license renewals, the decision was taken by officers under delegated authority.

“A decision on the process to look at the licence at the end of this six-month period will be taken in the new year.”

Councillor Lynda Hyde, the Conservatives’ lead member for licensing, was one of three councillors present as an observer when officers, advised by lawyers, reached their decision.

She said: “I wanted the decision to be made at a public meeting, not behind closed doors.

“The consensus seems to be coming round to my view that the next decision should be made openly and transparently in public.”

Much has changed since the council settled on its current process for licensing taxis and private hire drivers, vehicles and operators, including national laws and the entry of app-based operators into the market.

Some councillors believe in the light of those changes that it is appropriate to take a fresh look at when decisions should be taken by elected councillors and when they should be delegated to officials.

The initial decision to grant Uber a licence was taken in public by a licensing panel made up of three councillors.

The decision to renew Uber’s licence was taken by officials with lawyers in attendance and was observed by Councillor Hyde, the Greens lead member for licensing, Councillor Lizzie Deane and Jackie O’Quinn, the Labour councillor who chairs the Licensing Committee.

source: http://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2017 ... ix-months/

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Just enough in the envelope to grant them a 6 month stay of execution.

Cannot understand why original license was granted by Councillors and allowed Officers under delegated powers to decide renewal.
Conspiracy theory is alive and kicking here.

they is either 'fit and proper' or not fit and proper uber should appeal and take the council to task

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

The owners, the managers, the directors have been deemed to not be fit and proper by London.

Strange that they are now deemed to be fit and proper by B&H.

Might have helped if London had sent a detailed responce to B&H, as requested by them, as to why Uber have not had their operator’s license renewed by London.

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IDFIMH

You should be a politician my friend.

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Taxi industry critical over council's Uber decision

UBER has been granted permission to operate in Brighton and Hove for a further six months.

Brighton and Hove City Council announced the decision yesterday afternoon following Tuesday’s behind closed-doors meeting.

In a statement, the city council said the decision on the length of the extension was taken to allow it to monitor the outcome of the Transport for London Uber decision and consider whether any of the information arising from the case had direct implications for the operation here

A council spokeswoman said: “While there was no evidence to suggest that public safety had been compromised, there are a number of concerns, and Uber are working with the council to address these and reassure residents and visitors about their safety.

“Under national law, licensed drivers can operate anywhere in the country, so drivers licensed elsewhere are allowed to operate in the city.
“Many authorities have fewer conditions attached to their licensing than is the case here.”

The spokeswoman added that the authority was working with Uber to ensure safety standards were maintained and to address the challenges brought about by technological changes.

She added: “A decision on the process to look at the licence at the end of this six month period will be taken in the new year.”

John Streeter, vice chairman of Brighton and Hove Streamline, criticised the decision, adding: “The council should have had the courage to follow the line of TFL and revoke the licence immediately and by taking the action they have chosen, all they have done is kick the can down the road for a further six months.”

He said Uber had still not addressed a number of issues including the pledge to only use drivers and vehicles licensed by the city council.

The GMB said it was “deeply disappointed” by the decision.

Justin Bowden, GMB national secretary, said: “The council has failed to act within their regulatory responsibilities and we will be taking legal action in respect of this decision.”

source: http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/15638113 ... _decision/

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin