Uber has 'deceitful competition', Oxford taxi boss claimedhttps://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/26158 ... s-claimed/
Oxford taxi drivers are facing "financial hardship" partly due to "deceitful competition" from Uber, a city taxi boss has claimed.
Uber launched in Oxford in February last year after receiving its private hire licence from Oxford City Council.
Sajad Khan, secretary of the City of Oxford Licensed Taxicab Association, told a city council meeting that his trade "struggles immensely" from a number of pressures.
He said: "Our trade continues to struggle immensely due to a severe and prolonged lack of work.
"The combined impact of changing travel patterns, closure of nightclubs and the deceitful competition from Uber and the overall decline in footfall across the city has left many drivers facing financial hardship."
Mr Khan was lobbying for a reduction in the application fee taxi drivers must pay Oxford City Council for a Hackney carriage (black cab) driver licence.
For a yearly licence, drivers of diesel black cabs pay £472 a year while electric owners pay £354, he said.
But in neighbouring district South Oxfordshire, an annual driver's licence is £83 less than in Oxford at £389 for diesel.
What's more, owners of any zero emission, wheelchair accessible taxi pay £110 a year - or £244 less than in Oxford.
Drivers in Oxford also have to pay towards safeguarding and disability awareness courses every three years, too.
"A reduction in licensing fees would therefore have provided meaningful support at a time when it is needed most," Mr Khan added.
He said: "With the substantial increase in the number of private hire vehicles licensed by Oxford City Council and are now operating in Oxford due to the introduction of Uber, many within our trade had expected that licensing fees would be reduced.
"The logic behind this expectation is simple: a larger licensed fleet should, in principle, ease the financial burden on the licensing department.
"For the first time ever we have witnessed private hire license plate numbers go beyond the figure of 1000 (the exact number of private hire vehicles licensed in Oxford is currently unknown).
"Over the past few months, a significant amount of private hire vehicles are being licensed in Oxford."
Oxford City Council said private hire driver numbers have increase by 28 per cent and private hire vehicle numbers are up by 39 per cent in 12 months.
The number of black cabs operating in Oxford is capped at 107.
It said steps have been taken to "strengthen" the service to meet demand, including two extra staff and increased spending on processing applications.
Oxford City Council kept the fees for the licence the same as before.
Uber's spokesman said: “Uber’s launch has improved transport options for everyone living in Oxford, offering people a safe, affordable and easy option to get where they need to go.
"Oxford is a thriving city with a large workforce, student community and booming tourism sector - there is huge demand across the city which all operators can compete for.
"This is providing new earning opportunities for local drivers on Uber, all of whom have access to industry leading worker rights such as holiday pay, national minimum wage and a pension, as well as formal representation through GMB Union.”
Login
Register
FAQ
