Taxi Driver Online

Bit of a hoo hah, but all Uber seem to be offering is to stop giving work to cars parked on official ranks. It's not going to stop them illegally plying there.

Uber 'open to blocking drivers picking up fares in Blackpool' after influx of taxis in seaside resort

https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire- ... g-29274244

Uber has said it is 'open to conversation' with Blackpool Council over alleged unregulated drivers operating in the seaside resort.

The first steps towards regulating the operator will be taken after what has been described as an influx of Uber cars in the town, despite the US company having no operating license for the area.

Chris Webb, who will again be Labour's candidate to be MP for Blackpool South, raised the issue on May 16 as his first question in the House of Commons. He has also held a meeting with Uber, in which the firm said it is open to blocking its drivers from picking up in Blackpool taxi ranks

Uber also said it will establish lines of communication with Blackpool’s licensing team to facilitate the reporting of any illegal activity by its drivers.

Webb told the Blackpool Lead: “Blackpool is experiencing the scourge of unlicensed taxis in our treasured seaside resort. Uber and similar companies, which have no operating licence in Blackpool, are allowing passengers to use their unlicensed taxis uninsured, creating a real public safety risk.

“These unlicensed taxis are parking in local ranks illegally, taking fares from our hard-working, rule-abiding Blackpool taxi drivers. What is the Minister doing to tackle these unlicensed drivers, and will he meet me to discuss this issue in my constituency?”

While the Minister for Local Transport Guy Opperman did not offer Webb a meeting, the MP was subsequently granted a meeting with Uber.

"Uber told me it is open to the idea of blocking its drivers from picking up fares in local taxi ranks – plying for trade which would invalidate their insurance. I believe they should have a locally granted license to operate in the area at all, however, and the company agreed that it would begin talks with the council about applying for a private operating license. This is an issue I will continue working on following the general election on 4th July.

“There are about 1,000 taxi drivers in Blackpool whose livelihoods depend on local trade. If Uber floods the place with cars it will have a massive impact on them. Taxi work, like lots of other work in Blackpool, is somewhat seasonal. Uber is just adding to that existing insecurity.”

Since the question on 16th May, Webb says he has also met with the Shadow Minister for Local Transport, Blackpool Council’s licensing team and the Council Executive member for Highways & Traffic Management and met positive responses.

Following his meeting with Uber yesterday, Webb also met with members of Blackpool Licensed Taxi Operators Association who told him of their two year battle with Uber drivers in Blackpool.

Adam Vacchiano, a Hackney cab driver in the town, said members have collected thousands of pieces of evidence of wrongdoing by Uber drivers in Blackpool. He said BLTOA is keen to work with Blackpool Council to tackle the issue.

He said: “If they operate within the law it would be fine but wrongdoing is widespread.”

Vacchiano added: “We feel like we’ve finally got somebody behind our fight in Chris Webb. This situation has been going on over two years. It’s widespread illegality and the lack of enforcement has been frustrating.”

Bill Lewtas, a recently retired taxi driver who remains active in BLTOA said he was feeling positive after his meeting with Webb.

“Chris was sympathetic to our case and supportive. We’re more hopeful now,” he said.

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IDFIMH

So that means blocking them on the app from a specific geographical location, a sort of micro-geofencing or whatever the terminology is?

Can they be that specific?

But, even if they can, as Sussex says if there are people waiting at a rank, say, then there's nothing Uber can do to stop their cars picking up, in realistic terms.

I know, maybe local LOs could do some enforcement work?

On the other hand, no doubt Wolves LOs are there all the time. Or maybe busy back in Wolverhampton churning out press releases about how 'safety is paramount', or whatever

So in a fortnight the MP has gone from industrial scale unlicensed and uninsured cars to a bit of illegal plying for hire?

Obviously some realisation that he's been spun a line by those in the trade who don't like Uber (and who does?) rather than those who know the score and are more realistic about the options.


And that'll help, how?

Uber will then be able to use Blackpool-plated cars rather than just Wolves, or wherever else their cross-border cars are licensed? I'm sure the local ops will love that

It would take a heart of stone not to laugh

Be careful what you wish for, and all that

One thing that all these different authority cars all working one area has shown is the vast difference in PH signage requirements.

Blackpool require front doors to have company signage and rear to have council signage about licenced private hire and uninsured if not pre-booked. Yellow plate in windscreen but no bumper plates.
Fylde Council (South and East of Blackpool borders) require company on rear and council on front with bumper plates (not sure on windscreen).
Wyre Council (North and East of Blackpool borders) require both company and council.
Wolverhampton (rear plate and windscreen) and rear door company stickers, although going off the number seen without door stickers they would appear to be optional.

Others appear to allow tiny little company stickers (usually) Uber that can be anywhere on the vehicle (ie. front wing, bonnet, very bottom of the door, ). Then there are those that are working multiple companies so have a local company signage (for the area their licenced) but are working for Uber.

Other council cars seen in large numbers mostly Uber
Liverpool
Knowsley
Bolton
Rochdale
Salford
Bury


Might have to spend a few hours and research signage requirements for the North West councils.

Yes they can.

They have been doing it in B&H since before covid.

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IDFIMH