Taxi Driver Online

Cabbies set to protest over Uber drivers ‘poaching customers’

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/cabbies-set-p ... AGY0eH_KVJ



Licensed cab drivers in Blackburn are set to hold a protest in the town over concerns out of town Uber drivers are working ‘on their patch’.

The protest aims to the highlight concerns about drivers not licenced in Blackburn with Darwen who are picking up fares in the area.

Since Uber's introduction in the UK, it has become common to see private hire vehicles working for the app-based ride-ordering service operating in a different borough to the one they are licensed in.

The service's easy-to-use app has seen it grow in popularity among those ordering private hire vehicles, but Hackney Carriage taxi drivers have spoken out at the impact it is having on their profession.

One cab driver, who did not wish to be named, said: “A loophole in the industry means a taxi driver can pick up in this town even though we don’t have an Uber operating licence in this town.

“We have seen people coming over from Wolverhampton and then spending a few hours making money which should be going to local cabbies.

“People go on the Uber app and book within five minutes.

“You can’t pre-book an Uber in Blackburn as they don’t have a licence. The system does not allow it to do it.

“They will put us out of business. I know a lot of cabbies who are struggling to make ends meet.”

A driver protest will be held in Blackburn on Thursday, August 1, and aims to raise awareness of the issue and will last around one hour.

It is set to begin in Lower Audley Street and head through town, making its way along Barbara Castle Way, Montague Street and then Darwen Street.

With it being held during the post-work rush hour at 4.30pm the protest could bring the town to a standstill.

Similar protests against Uber have been held in other towns across the country.

Ahead of the protest, two people wearing Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak masks were spotted holding up a banner saying 'Wolverhampton Uber drivers go home' in Railway Road on Saturday.

The driver added: “We saw one from Wigan just the other day, and they are coming into the town and picking up fares for the day and then going home.

“We can’t move on to another town. We have to live here and earn our wages in this town.

“If they have done a drop off here they should not be allowed to pick up any more fares. It is as simple as that.”

Uber is the largest ride-sharing company worldwide with more than 150 million monthly active users and six million active drivers and couriers.

Martin Eden is Strategic Director of Environment and Operations at Blackburn with Darwen Council.

He said: “We understand the concerns of the Blackburn with Darwen based taxi drivers, however the Council is not in a position to act, a change of legislation is needed on a national level to address these issues.”

Uber have been contacted for comment.

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IDFIMH

Hi-res version of the photo here if anyone wants to see the Boris/Rishi masks

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/r ... s/18259212

Anyway, another piece that makes it sound like the drivers are living in and commuting from Wolverhampton.

And I've probably said this before, but isn't Blackburn with Darwen the clunkiest name for a local authority in the UK?

Anyone reading the likes of that piece who hadn't come across it before would be forgiven for wondering what the likes of this means, precisely:

Off the top of my head I'd have guessed this was done and dusted months ago, but it would seem not

Some interesting wee points, but nothing particularly ground breaking here.

Although as well as the usual 'ride-sharing' description, this article uses the term 'ride-ordering'. Oh, my sides - no one's ever ordered a car before Uber came along


Uber granted taxi operating licence in Blackburn and Darwen

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/n ... rn-darwen/

Taxi operator Uber has been granted a licence by Blackburn with Darwen Council to pick up passengers in the borough.

It came despite fears it could have a major effect on local licensed cab and private hire drivers working for taxi firms within the borough.

Earlier in the year Hackney Carriage drivers spoke out over concerns that out-of-town Uber drivers are working ‘on their patch’, with the ride-sharing app undercutting their prices.

There were also concerns about hundreds of drivers based in the borough who have been granted licences by Wolverhampton Council, many of whom drive for Uber, working across Blackburn with Darwen.

Since Uber's introduction in the UK, it has become common to see private hire vehicles working for the app-based ride-ordering service operating in a different borough to the one they are licensed in.

Now, drivers will be able to register with Uber to work under the Blackburn with Darwen licence.

Uber is the largest ride-sharing company worldwide with more than 150 million monthly active users and six million active drivers and couriers.

In order to drive on the Uber app, drivers need a private-hire licence from a council Uber is licensed by. All UK private-hire drivers need a licence from a licensing authority such as a council.

Blackburn with Darwen Council said a licence had been granted for five years from November 12.

Strategic director of environment and communities at Blackburn with Darwen Council, Martin Eden, said: "The licensing service has recently received an application for an operator's licence for private hire vehicles from Uber.

"The application has been considered fully and it has been approved. The council has issued Uber with a licence to operate private hire vehicles in Blackburn with Darwen for the next five years."

Rumours had been circulating among local taxi and private hire drivers about Uber looking to be licensed in the borough last month. Two weeks ago the council had said no application had been submitted.

One cab driver, who did not wish to be named, said: “This is going to have a major effect on local firms. You may find some smaller firms closing."

He also made claims passengers may be charged more for short journeys or face issues with guide dogs.

*Such* as a council? I mean, what other kind of licensing authorities are there in the UK?

I suppose TfL is a bit of an oddball in that regard, but that's still around 300-1


So the application's done and dusted in less than a fortnight

Nice to know some businesses and individuals get, er, fast-tracked.

(I've no clue about applying for op's licences and the like, but I'd guess it normally takes longer than ten days or thereabouts...)

Taxi drivers in Blackburn and Darwen must wait to sign up to Uber

Cabbies attempting to register to work with Uber have been told they must wait until December.

Several cab drivers said they had attempted to log on to join Uber after Blackburn with Darwen Council granted the company a licence. But they were told the system was still not in place to accept drivers.

The council granted a licence to Uber on November 12. Until then it was common to see private hire vehicles working for the app-based ride-ordering service operating in a different borough to the one they are licensed in.

Uber is the largest ride-sharing company worldwide with more than 150 million monthly active users and six million active drivers and couriers.

In order to drive on the Uber app, drivers need a private-hire licence from a council Uber is licensed by. All UK private-hire drivers need a licence from a licensing authority such as a council.

Following the announcement drivers had attempted to register with the app.

A driver said he initially got a message saying, ‘We do not have a licence to operate in your council at this time.’

A further message to drivers reads: “Uber has recently been granted a private hire operator license for Blackburn. We are working hard to get the relevant tools in place to begin on-boarding drivers.

“Please note that this may take some time.

“Our latest information is that we won’t be able to start on-boarding until beginning of December at the earliest.

“We realise this may be a disappointment to you and we apologise for the inconvenience. We will update you if this changes.

“We will contact all Blackburn licensed drivers when we have more information.”

The announcement that Uber had been granted a licence came despite fears it could have a major effect on local licensed cab and private hire drivers working for taxi firms within the borough.

Drivers in Blackpool had spoken out when Uber was granted a licence in the seaside resort.

Recently, the BBC reported that drivers were believed to be charging as little as 36p for a two-mile trip. Uber had responded and said it was normal practice to offer discounts to passengers for their first few journeys in one of the company's new towns.

There were also concerns that ‘surge pricing’ at busier times would be a lot higher than the prices charged by local firms.

The council confirmed last week the licensing service had recently received an application for an operator's licence for private hire vehicles from Uber.

Uber was approached for comment.

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IDFIMH

Wonder what's going on here? All very mysterious. But, as per earlier, it all looked equally mysterious the way the whole application and grant of a licence was done and dusted within a fortnight


Delays for Blackburn taxi drivers trying to join Uber

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/n ... sign-uber/

Taxi drivers in Blackburn and Darwen have been told they must wait until the spring to register to work for Uber.

Cabbies have been attempting to log on to join Uber after the council granted the company a licence in November, but they were told the system was still not in place to accept drivers.

Following the announcement, drivers had attempted to register with the ride-sharing app.

They had been told registration would begin in December and then January, but this has been pushed back.

A further message says this is likely to be extended into April.

A message to cabbies reads: “As you are no doubt aware, Uber has been granted a private hire operator licence for Blackburn with Darwen.

“Our latest estimate is that we will be unable to begin onboarding drivers until late March or April.

“We realise this additional delay is disappointing and we apologise for the inconvenience.

“We are unable to provide any further information on the reason for the delay, however, we will update all Blackburn drivers when this timeline improves.

“Thank you for your patience and understanding.”

The council granted a licence to Uber on November 12. Before then, private hire vehicles working for the app-based ride-ordering service were operating in a different borough to the one they were licensed in.

Uber is the largest ride-sharing company worldwide with more than 150 million monthly active users and six million active drivers and couriers.

In order to drive on the Uber app, drivers need a private-hire licence from a council Uber is licensed by.

All UK private-hire drivers need a licence from a licensing authority such as a council.

The announcement that Uber had been granted a licence came despite fears it could have a major effect on local licensed cab and private hire drivers working for taxi firms within the borough.

Maybe Uber's admin are just a bit too busy with other areas, and I suspect punters can still book an Uber in Blackburn, just can't get a Blackburn-licensed vehicle.

But in time they will open up to Blackburn vehicles.

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IDFIMH

Or maybe Uber are conscious of all the protests and trying to keep a low profile ?

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

Blackburn and Pendle cabbies flock to register with Uber

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/n ... ster-uber/

Hundreds of drivers are expected to join Uber after Blackburn with Darwen Council granted the company a licence in November.

It came following delays when prospective cabbies were told the system was not in place to accept drivers. Drivers had been told to expect registration to begin in January and then in March.

On Tuesday, drivers were invited to Lomeshaye Business Park in Nelson as on boarding began for drivers in both Blackburn with Darwen and Pendle.

Up until now it was common to see private hire vehicles working for the app-based ride-ordering service operating in a different borough to the one they are licensed in.

One driver from Blackburn who attended said: “There was a lot of demand.

“I got told around 70 people registered and a further 70 will be online by Thursday.

“We were told to travel over to Nelson as in the district there was a lot of demand and they decided to launch both licences simultaneously.

“This will most likely affect local firms as people will be joining Uber.

“We are not sure how this will affect prices for customers though. As during peak hours, the prices may be more. But we won’t know until the coming weeks.”

Uber is the largest ride-sharing company worldwide with more than 150 million monthly active users and six million active drivers and couriers.

In order to drive on the Uber app, drivers need a private-hire licence from the council Uber is licensed by.

All UK private-hire drivers need a licence from a licensing authority such as a council.

The announcement that Uber had been granted a licence came despite fears it could have a major effect on local licensed cab and private hire drivers working for taxi firms within the borough.

Uber was approached for comment.

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IDFIMH