(Maybe not unrelated to the recent article about overranking in Worcester. But really a different topic, so different thread.)
Some of the utter garbage in here
](./images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall")
Particularly the highlighted part, which reads like it's a headline or sub-title, or something like that, but isn't presented that way in the piece. But what's it's on about is anyone's guess, and, surprise, surprise, pretty much contradicted by the actual quote from the council at the end of the piece...
But it's the usual stuff alluding that drivers are commuting from Wolverhampton etc, whereas it's presumably just local drivers using Wolverhampton for badging and plating purposes.
And wasn't Woober one of the more traditional firms who in the early days adopted the name effectively taking the pee out of Uber? Maybe that joke's now backfired in spectacular style?
Out of town taxi invasion leads to support calls from Wooberhttps://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/25 ... ls-woober/A TAXI company has pleaded for the council to support city businesses amid an influx of Uber drivers from nearby cities.Woober, a taxi company based in the city, has called for Uber drivers registered outside the county to be banned from picking up customers in Worcester, as city drivers are spending hours parked up waiting for business.
Worcester City Council warn drivers licensed outside the city are acting illegally and could be prosecuted.A spokesperson for Woober said: "Some councils are allowing Uber drivers to come into the city, but they cannot pick up passengers and have to go back to their city, but Worcester does not do that.
"The local companies, who have spent thousands and created hundreds of jobs in the city, are now suffering because of these taxis coming from Birmingham and Wolverhampton.
"Their areas are saturated, so they are coming to Worcester instead and taking business from our drivers who are now parked up for hours waiting."
Uber first launched in the UK in 2012 and now serves most cities and major towns.
Another issue raised was drivers from Worcester licensed in Wolverhampton despite losing their licence in Worcester.
The spokesperson said: "I know drivers have had their licences revoked for being disrespectful to customers, for refusing to pick up a disabled person or for being inappropriate to a female passenger.
"They are unable to drive with a Worcester taxi licence, but they have got a Wolverhampton licence and can come to work in Worcester again.
"There is a reason their licences have been revoked. It is a real safety issue."
According to the BBC, 96 per cent of drivers licensed by Wolverhampton City Council between April 2023 and March 2024 were from outside the city, giving it the nickname of Britain's taxi capital.
To combat the rise in Uber drivers travelling into Worcester for work, the spokesperson has called for sweeping changes in how the company and its drivers are allowed to operate.
They said: "If this was a massive city, then fair enough, but companies like Woober are suffering because of this.
"Our drivers live in Worcester. The money they earn is then put back in the city’s economy, while drivers from Wolverhampton take the money and go back home with it.
"Why is the council not protecting us? They need to stop out of areas taxis coming into Worcester to pick up customers."
A Worcester City Council spokesperson said: “Taxis licensed by councils outside of Worcester are only licensed for pre-booked private hire. If such vehicles do ply for un-booked hire, then the drivers are committing an offence and can be prosecuted.
“Worcestershire Regulatory Services regulate taxis in Worcester, on the City Council’s behalf, and can be contacted at
enquiries@worcsregservices.gov.uk or on 01905 822799 if anybody wishes to report such activity.”
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