Uber taxi service applies to start operating in Southendhttps://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/254622 ... -southend/SOUTHEND could finally get an Uber service in the city – but concerns have been raised it could “slaughter” the livelihoods of local cabbies.
At a full council meeting on Thursday, it was confirmed by leader Daniel Cowan that Uber had “applied to operate in Southend”.
The service allows customers to book a ride via the Uber app, which then shows the estimated time of arrival and fare before the trip starts.
Southend banned the nationally popular service in 2018 over concerns about the safety of the operation and now fears have been raised over the impact on the city’s cabbies.
Simon Shepherd, a former taxi driver who spent 39 years working in the city, said: “The local taxi companies in this area will get absolutely slaughtered. The outlook is absolutely awful. It will put an awful lot of people out of work.
“People live and work in this town. They are part and parcel of the community but they are going to get absolutely slaughtered.
“Uber will flood the area with cars and they will do discounts, they will offer vouchers, they will do all sorts of tricks to get the customers on board. They will run that for four to six weeks and in that time other companies won’t be able to survive
“It puts a lot of the drivers up against the wall with their bills and they’ve got families. They won’t be able to do it so consequently they give the job up.”
Uber told the Echo all drivers would earn at least the national living wage, with Uber topping up earnings if they fall below that level, but drivers will have the opportunity to earn more.
In addition, drivers will have access to worker rights such as holiday and pensions and representation by through the GMB union.
Martin Terry, councillor for community safety, said: “There were issues between the Met Police regarding access to drivers’ records. Uber refused police access.
“That situation I understand has been resolved so from a community safety perspective that’s no longer an issue.
“It offers competition and flexibility. If they’re offering a safe service, which it apparently now is, then then we should welcome them.”
Speaking after the meeting, Daniel Cowan said: “We can confirm that we have received a licensing application from Uber and we will deal with this in the appropriate process.”
An Uber spokesperson said: "We are in the process of applying for a licence to operate in Southend-on-Sea and hope the council will welcome this opportunity. “Uber will boost earning opportunities for local drivers, provide passengers with greater transport options across the city and support the local economy."
The company said all drivers would earn at least the national living wage with Uber topping up earnings if they fall below that level but drivers will have the opportunity to earn more.
In addition, drivers will have access to worker rights such as holiday and pensions and representation by through the GMB union.
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