Uber hit back by saying every driver who uses its app has been licensed by a local council
A South Ribble councillor has told residents they are safer in locally-licensed taxis than Ubers authorised by councils in other parts of the country. It comes after an operation earlier this summer in which Lancashire Police stopped more than 200 private hire and Hackney vehicles across South Ribble and Preston during a single night of spot checks.
Cllr Jane Bell, chair of South Ribble Borough Council’s licensing and public safety committee, told a recent meeting of the full council that none of the vehicles or drivers who were reprimanded or taken off the road had been licensed by the district authority.“They were all Uber taxis…licensed in Wolverhampton,” she said. "So…please be very careful when you use an Uber – you may not be safe.
Since deregulation of the private hire trade in 2015, the necessary licences, plates and permissions can be obtained from any council a driver chooses – perhaps based on considerations such as the speed and cost of processing applications and any specific criteria that have to be met – no matter where they are based or where they will be trading. Wolverhampton Council has become a popular choice.
What does Uber say? In response to the issues raised by Cllr Bell, a spokesperson for Uber told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Uber operates according to the high standards set across the industry and abides by the same regulations as all other private hire operators. We engage closely with councils across the country and are happy to discuss any issues with them.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Uber Eats reveals Glasgow's favourite local restaurantsWith Uber Eats, effortless dining is always just a tap away
Read more »
Acting and comedy masterclass from uber talented Miriam MargolyesMargolyes and Dickens, The Best Bits, Pleasance at the EICC, Edinburgh, August 7, 2024. *****
Read more »
Uber says consumer spending ‘never been stronger’ as profits jumpUsers of ride-hailing app take record number of trips in second quarter despite concerns about US economy
Read more »
Uber could deploy thousands of driverless Chinese vehicles onto Britain's roads as part a 'strategic...San Francisco residents are stopping driverless cars in their tracks by placing cones on their hoods after one of the vehicles killed a dog, as firm blasts
Read more »
Uber could deploy thousands of driverless Chinese vehicles onto Britain's roads as part a 'strategic...San Francisco residents are stopping driverless cars in their tracks by placing cones on their hoods after one of the vehicles killed a dog, as firm blasts
Read more »
Ride-hailing giant Uber strikes EV deal with China Tesla rival BYDThe two companies say they will offer drivers financial incentives to switch to electric cars.
Read more »