Well this is a good example of churnalism - it's basically a headline, photo, and two separate quotes from the opposing parties. To be fair, they probably don't want to spend too much time writing articles during the festive break.
Anyway, makes a change from Uber, and the firm here is denying it's using drivers from Middlesbrough. But it seems to be saying it's basically copying Uber because it can't compete without using cross-border drivers, but Uber isn't specifically mentioned.
York private hire taxi firm under fire from other cabbies
https://www.minsterfm.com/news/local/30 ... r-cabbies/
Image: Minster FM
A York taxi firm that is licensing its drivers outside of the city has been accused of putting standards and safety at risk.
The Independent Taxi Association says York Cars has started employing drivers from Middlesbrough, who are then sent to Wolverhampton to where the Knowledge test is 'streamlined', and easier to pass.
Tony Green from the Independent Taxi Association in York:
"It has to be a worry for everyone involved in taxi industry in York, whether that is in the Hackney or private hire sector.
"We have worked hard to raise standards, so to see those possibly undermined by this move from York Cars is concerning.
"Effectively what you have is a lot of potential drivers who really do not know the area - do not know the bylaws and routes and have very little understanding of how taxis work in York.
"So from a passenger-safety point of view, and from other road-users point of view, I would be concerned."
But Billy Iqbal from York Cars believes other taxi and private hire firms have it all wrong:
"Yes we are using drivers and vehicles licensed in Wolverhampton, and under the Deregulation Act 2015 it is legal for us to do so.
"We are meeting all laws.
"All drivers that are licensed through Wolverhampton Council are local to York.
"They have chosen to license in Wolverhampton due to the process being quicker, more efficient and up to 50% cheaper.
"With these being local York residents, they know their way around York.
"We are doing this in protest at York Council doing nothing about the out-of-town vehicles over the last four years.
"It is also a protest against the continued use of 'restrictive licensing practices', which hinder us from meeting the forever-growing customer demand that we face as a company."
