Not sure if this is anything more than a namechange/rebranding, and I think it may be a national Veezu rebranding thing going on, and the Echo has dutifully rehashed Veezu's press release by the looks of it, replete with the 'self-employed driver partner' stuff
And I hadn't really thought about it, but interesting that it's Veezu and Delta leading the charge on the VAT case, and they're at the same time presumably competing as the two biggest private hire players on Merseyside
There's also stuff about the VAT case, and there's more than a smidgen of the David v Goliath vibe about it again.
And it makes it sound like Uber out of nowhere suddenly challenged the 1976 Act, while the reality is of course a bit different. But that maybe fits the whole David v Goliath narrative...
New private hire taxis coming to Liverpool as firm rebrandshttps://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/li ... g-31375613Customers can book journeys via an appA new private hire taxi firm will soon be seen on the Liverpool City Region's roads. Veezu, the UK's fastest-growing and largest private hire technology business, acquired Merseyside firm Britannia Taxis in 2023 and has now brought it under its brand name.
Founded in Knowsley in 1988, Britannia Taxis worked across the Liverpool City Region for more than three decades. It acquired Liverpool firm Davy Liver in 2017 and Wigan firm Bluestar in 2023 before being itself 'acquired by Veezu that year.
Veezu's cars are found in more than 50 locations across the UK and it partners with more than 16,000 self-employed driver-partners. Britannia will now rebrand as Veezu.
The company says its customers will now benefit from improved technology, additional payment options, and smarter ride features available via the Veezu app.
Veezu's regional operations director, Chris Neary, said: "We’ve always believed that better travel starts locally – with trusted driver-partners, smart tools and a service people can rely on.
"By bringing Britannia Taxis under the Veezu name, we’re creating a simpler, more consistent experience for passengers across Liverpool and its surrounding areas. We’re investing in new technology, improving access to transport, and continuing to support the communities we serve through hyperlocal investment."
Passengers can call the usual Liverpool number on 0151 708 7080, St Helens number on 01744 777 777 and Wigan number on 01942 242424 and everything will remain the same operationally.
The Veezu app, which was introduced in May last year, will also allow passengers to book taxis with multiple payment options, including cash, card, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Alongside Liverpool-based Delta, Veezu is currently preparing for a huge court showdown with Uber in a bid to block a judgement that it says could see private hire cab fares rise by 20%. This will be the third time in four years that Liverpool-based Delta has gone up against the international ride-hailing app, in a case where Uber Britannia Ltd seek a declaration from the court which would see VAT added to the cost of all private hire vehicle (PHV) taxi fares outside of London.
Ahead of the court date, Delta Taxis and Cardiff-based Veezu launched a new ‘Fighting Fund to Protect Passenger Fares’ campaign calling for cross-sector and public support as they mount a defence against Uber in the next phase of this long-running legal battle, expected in July 2025.
The proceedings relate to an Act of Parliament that had been in place without issue since 1976, until Uber challenged it 48 years later.
If Delta Taxis and Veezu lose the case, passengers across the country could see the cost of private hire journeys rise significantly through the application of VAT at 20%.
Unlike other modes of transport, which benefit from a zero VAT rating, the PHV industry remains the only form of transport subject to full VAT.
Delta Taxis and Veezu are set to meet in the Supreme Court – the highest court in the land – to take on Uber in July of this year.
As part of their campaign, Delta and Veezu have launched a ‘Fighting Fund to Protect Passenger Fares’ on CrowdJustice to help mount the best defence possible.
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