Taxi Driver Online

App-based taxi firm granted Coventry licence

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/ ... s-15579551

But the council deny doing a U-turn

An app-based private hire firm has been granted a licence to operate in Coventry - prompting strong claims of a council U-turn.

Coventry City Council have been strongly opposed to the licensing of app-based private hire firms such as Uber, but have this week granted eCars a licence to operate in the city.

The decision was a unanimous one at a Licensing Committee meeting on Tuesday,December 18.

It is believed that the decision has been a long time coming, with an application for a private hire operators' licence first coming before the committee on August 14.

However, the decision was paused, as the conditions of a licence did not reflect on operators using mobile apps.

Last month, the Cabinet approved the updated conditions of the operators' licence.

Though a number of Coventry's existing operators use app-based technology, it is believed that eCars is the first to solely operate using an app-based booking system.

Claims of a council U-turn

Following news that eCars have been granted a licence to operate in the city, the Coventry Conservatives have claimed that it comes as a result of a council U-turn.

Cllr Tim Mayer said: "What appears to be critical is that this decision has been made possible by the recent departure of the former Cabinet Member responsible, Cllr Jayne Innes, who was blocking progress in the taxi industry, and updated conditions to the private hires operator’s licence that now reflect an operator using mobile apps.

"This has opened the door to more companies like Uber and Ola being allowed to apply for a private hire operator’s licence in the city.

“I am really pleased that the ruling group have finally performed this welcome but embarrassing U-turn on their previously confused position. It is fantastic news that local consumers can now start to experience a seamless door-to-door journey just from the touch of a button.

“This is a good move that may encourage more people to leave their cars at home.

"It is great to see that Coventry is finally now showing we are open for business, giving residents greater choice, better value for money and giving enterprise a chance to flourish.”

Council response

Coventry City Council has been quick to refute Cllr Mayer's claims, saying that there has been no U-turn.

Cllr Christine Thomas said that the council changed its licensing policies earlier this year to enable it to embrace new technology.

She said: "We were delighted to approve the application from eCars. They had applied for a licence earlier this year which we could not approve until we had updated our policy to allow approval of app-based private hire companies.

“We were very impressed by eCars who already operate out of Birmingham Airport. As a committee we all wish to see new technology embraced, and that’s why the licensing policies were updated.”