Uber cabs operating in Reading despite licence rejection
A number of Uber minicabs have been used by passengers in Reading and can be seen operating on the company's app
Uber drivers have been ferrying passengers around Reading even though the company's bid for an operating licence was snubbed by the council.
In March Reading Borough Council 's licensing committee controversially turned down the application for a private hire cab licence, which was made on behalf of the online cab dispatch company.
However, a number of Uber cars have been used by passengers in Reading and can be seen operating on the company's app.
A spokesman for the company said: "Occasionally there may be a car in Reading, for example if someone has taken a ride into Reading.
"However, we don't yet have a full scale operation in the town, as such we can't guarantee availability."
Uber has been granted more than 40 operators licences by local authorities in the UK.
But its application for a licence in Reading was rejected because there was insufficient evidence of demand for Uber, and no clear indication of how many vehicles would be operating in the town or how the company's office would be manned.
The decision caused a blacklash , as many people took to social media to voice their dissaproval and vent their frustrations.
Two petitions were then set up as campaigners called for the council to grant Uber a private hire cab licence.
The council states the bookings are legal, as long as the cabs are dispatched by licensed Uber operators which are based in local authorities outside of Reading.
source:
http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/busine ... e-11368592
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