Taxi Driver Online

Couldn't select the rest of the text of this TaxiPoint piece, and can't be bothered fannying around. Which is perhaps fortunate, because the rest of the piece was simply about Ola generally, rather than the licence refusal.

So unfortunately nothing substantive about why the licence was refused, other than that the trade bodies objected.

(Note that a booking office licence is the Scottish equivalent of a PH operator's licence in England. And a booking office licence is required for both HC and PH operations in Scotland, although there are size exemptions. And, as usual, an 'operator' in Scotland is a vehicle proprietor/plateholder.)

Uber ride-sharing rival Ola refused licence to operate in Glasgow

20 Jun 2019
Michael Murphy

https://www.taxi-point.co.uk/single-pos ... in-Glasgow

Glasgow's Licensing and Regulatory Committee have refused a booking office licence application from Ola UK Private Hire Ltd.

Confirming the outcome via their Facebook page, Unite the Union Glasgow Cab Section, said: 'Objections from Unite Cab Section, GTL and GGPHA were noted and considered. Ola will now either have to wait 12 months to reapply or appeal to the Sheriff Court.'

For what it's worth, this is the rest of the article. My browser finally decided to co-operate after about five minutes

Which isn't that bad considering that from visiting the site's homepage to getting an article in a readable format often takes five minutes or so

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Ola has already obtained licences to operate in a number of UK cities including South Wales and Greater Manchester and have always said that their aim is to offer their services in all the same locations as their main rival uber.

Ola says it will be the only ride-hailing app in the UK that offers passengers the option of PHVs and Black Cabs through one consumer-friendly platform, which will in future see additional transportation options incorporated for greater passenger choice.

Ola states that it places drivers at the heart of its approach, providing the industry’s leading commissions, resulting in higher earnings and daily payments.

Ola seeks to lead the industry with its approach to passenger safety including DBS screened drivers and processes such as 24/7 voice support, options to share ride details with emergency contacts and in-app emergency features.

Found this on Glasgow Unite's Facebook page. Can't find any coverage in the mainstream press, but maybe a bit early for that if decision only today.





Please note as that as well as the objection from Unite, GTL is presumably Glasgow Taxis Limited, which is the city's biggest HC despatch operation. And GGPHA is presumably Greater Glasgow Private Hire Association, which kind of speaks for itself, but I'm assuming it's more of an office association rather than grassroots drivers.

So more of an admin issue rather than a trade issue?

So IMO it's only a matter of time before they get a license.

I think if Uber fear any competition in the UK it will be from Ola.

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IDFIMH

also visited numerous times by the licencing department to check the premises and personnel but found no one at their intended premises ,despite several visits

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i started out with nothing and ive still got most of it left