Fury in Wigan at Uber's deal with Virgin Trainshttps://www.wigantoday.net/news/fury-at ... -1-9187630Concerns have been raised about the impact a new partnership between Virgin Trains and Uber could have on local taxi drivers.
They have teamed up to give passengers a “seamless” journey, which will allow them to book an Uber taxi to the station and when they arrive at their destination.
Virgin said the aim was to encourage more people to leave their cars at home.
The link-up starts today on trains between London Euston and Birmingham New Street, rolling out on other routes in the coming months.
Eddie Earley, the borough’s union rep for hackney cabs, said he would not be happy about it coming to Wigan, particularly as drivers buy a permit to work from the station.
He said: “It would devastate the hackney rank on Wigan North Western because Uber would take all the journeys.
“Uber isn’t really in Wigan yet, so it means the trade is going to be impacted, not just for hackneys but the private hire sector as well.”
Amanda Gearing, an official of the GMB union, said: “Virgin Trains teaming with Uber is not good news.
“The licensing of taxis sits with individual local authorities, who take account of many factors, including safety and size of the market.
“This partnership tramples over our local democracy and we’ve already heard councils raising issues about this.
“Concerns about commuters’ safety and risks to the livelihood of many taxi drivers have been side-stepped to promote the interests of a public sector privateer and a company that refuses to give workers employment rights.”
But Virgin Trains and Uber believe the scheme will benefit customers.
Sarah Copley, of Virgin Trains, said: “We know that tackling the first and final mile is critical to opening up rail travel to new customers.
“Our exciting new partnership with Uber is the next step in making this end-to-end journey easy and seamless for customers.”
Fred Jones, of Uber, said: “In order to make it easy to leave your own car at home, we want door-to-door experiences to be as seamless and convenient as possible.
“This partnership with Virgin Trains is an exciting first step towards offering customers an easy way to combine train and car travel at the touch of a button.”
Broadly similar piece from Coventry:
New Virgin train and Uber taxi booking option will undermine 'safer' Coventry black cabs, say council chiefshttps://coventryobserver.co.uk/news/new ... il-chiefs/A NEW service offered by Virgin Trains and app-based taxi company Uber will undermine ‘safer’ city black cabs, council chiefs claim.
A two-week pilot scheme offers passengers an option to combine their rail travel with an online Uber booking.
It was announced today it will function initially on trains arriving at London Euston and Birmingham New Street.
The service will then expand to other routes depending on feedback.
Coventry City Council’s cabinet member for city services, Jayne Innes, has said she is disappointed by the move and believes it raises serious concerns about passenger safety.
She says it is uncertain whether the service will come to Coventry.
Coun Innes, alongside other council leaders and unions, has previously campaigned against Uber, claiming it is unfairly undermining the ‘gold standard’ licensed black cab.
But Uber’s services remain popular among taxi users who see it as a cheaper and easier alternative to traditional black cabs.
Uber contests claims it cuts corners on passenger safety, training, driver checks and other matters.
Coun Innes claims the new partnership, if extended to Coventry, could mean people are tempted away from potentially safer, Coventry-licensed black cabs.
Coun Innes said: “I have regularly called for a consistent standard for licensing laws for taxis and drivers to be implemented across the country as at the moment, standards vary widely.
“Ours are more rigorous as for us, ensuring passenger safety is paramount.
“Uber has never even applied for its taxis to be licensed by Coventry council, and I can only conclude this is because they are unwilling to meet the standards we expect.”
In Coventry, the council says all taxi drivers are DBS and DVLA checked – in line with national driving standards.
All cab drivers have to be trained in helping people with disabilities, as well as having to pass a road knowledge test.
Coun Innes added: “I would urge Virgin to reconsider this partnership. The black cabs of England – that have their home in Coventry – are famous and respected around the world and we believe they are the safest and best choice for travellers.”
At present, taxi and private hire drivers can work anywhere in England once they have their licence.
With Uber passengers can use apps on their phones to hail a taxi, which can be shared with other passengers.
Many of the Uber taxis operating in Coventry are licensed by Wolverhampton Council.
Coun Christine Thomas, deputy chair of the council’s licensing committee, added: “Although it is encouraging that our lobbying of Virgin Trains has not seen Coventry included in the first part of this scheme, there is nothing to say we will not be in future.”
We have contacted Uber for a statement.
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