Taxi Driver Online

This looked like a bog standard Uber 'local cab' article, with the Derby Telegraph simply rehashing Uber's comms spiel

To be fair, though, at least the Telegraph has taken the trouble to seek the views of local competitors in the trade. Not much to see, but some interesting comments for a change

Or at least they're commenting, er, 'no comment' for fear of reprisals


Derby taxi firm joins forces with Uber scheme

https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/m ... es-7757201

Uber's Local Cab project has been launched in the city

Anyone using Uber to order taxis in Derby will soon be able to guarantee booking a trip with a local operator after the company's Local Cab scheme was launched in the city. Uber has linked up with PJ Cars in Derby to provide the service.

Uber first launched in Derby in 2017 and to use the service, a rider simply has to download the app, which will locate them using GPS-enabled maps, and request a car at the touch of a button. Up to now it has not been possible to request a local company. Derby users will still be able to still be able to select other standard Uber-operated car schemes such as UberX and UberXL.

Muddaser Ahmed, director at PJ Cars, said: "We’re making it quicker and easier for people to get around Derby, connecting more passengers with taxi drivers via the Uber app. The partnership is also enabling us to provide further job opportunities to our drivers.”

The arrival of Uber’s Local Cab product in Derby follows previous launches in over 60 locations across the UK, including nearby Mansfield and Nottingham.

Andrew Brem, general manager at Uber UK, said: “Derby is one of a growing number of towns and cities in England where riders can access both UberX and Local Cab in the same app. This will help maximise earnings opportunities for drivers while giving passengers in Derby more choice, meaning that everyone will benefit. We’re looking forward to extending Local Cab in more UK towns and cities soon."

Derbyshire Live contacted a number of taxi operators and people connected to the cab trade but many were reluctant to speak out about the latest Uber development, citing worries about possible litigation from the company if they criticised the system.

The company has been criticised in the past for its strategy of generally commencing operations in a city without regard for local regulations. Uber has argued that it is a technology company and not a taxi company, and therefore not subject to regulations affecting taxi companies.

Councillor Mick Barker, Derby City Council cabinet member for governance, said: "The Uber model of operation is legal under current taxi legislation. I personally would like to see a strengthening of such legislation to ensure a standard model of both driver and vehicle operation."

Considering the amount of stuff thrown at Uber over the years (both deserved and undeserved) which Uber has done nothing about in terms of litigation, I think there's plenty scope to criticise without fear of a defamation action, or whatever


Historically, I think that's more applicable to overseas jurisdictions than the UK per se. I mean, they have tried to use totally unregulated cars and drivers in other jurisdictions. But I think they had their fingers burnt before coming to the UK, so by in large they've tried to operate within the law here, albeit with a lot of skirting round the edges, of course

(Wasn't it Belgium or France where Uber officials were thrown in jail for running unplated and unbadged cars and drivers?

Think that was before they really came to the UK, which is maybe why here they've never really gone down that route.)


Again, I don't think Uber has ever argued that in the domestic UK context, except maybe with regard to the employment status thing rather than regulation and licensing per se.

See Uber has enlisted a second Derby firm.

https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/d ... xi-7862068

Now as both firms will be on the same booking request list, will this not lead to a price war, or at least price increase hesitancy?

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IDFIMH

I thought the uber app quotes the price so presumably the prices are already set ?

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

Yes and no.

They set their own fares, but for third-party firms they simply list what these firms will charge.

So you will have a price for cheapo Uber, for exec Uber, then for local firm A and local firm B, with an estimated arrival time for all those options.

So the price will play a part, maybe the most significant part, but availability will play its part too.

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IDFIMH