Taxi drivers angry with move to grant Uber licence

Taxi drivers in a seaside town have hit back at a council decision to approve an operators’ licence for Uber behind closed doors.

Uber was formally granted a licence in Blackpool in September although the app's drivers had already been plying for trade in the town while licensed by other local authorities.

The decision was made by licensing officers using their delegated powers.

However, the Blackpool Taxi Association said the number of complaints made against out-of-town Uber drivers who were already working in Blackpool meant the application should have gone before the public protection sub-committee for further debate.

Blackpool Council said the licence had been granted to Uber as there was nothing to “call into question the fitness and propriety of the applicant”.

The approval was revealed at a meeting of the full council, with the authority saying Uber had fulfilled all the necessary criteria.

However, the Blackpool Taxi Association, said members had gathered evidence some Uber drivers had contravened rules.

Secretary Bill Lewtas said: “In June 2023 we were asked to send in details and footage of wrongdoing by out-of-town taxi drivers.

"This message was repeated again in April 2024, at a meeting attended by numerous taxi drivers and companies.

“The council gave little or no feedback on this and what action, if any, was taken. But it was evident from taxi driver social media pages the number of complaints was considerable.

"It is our view these complaints should have been considered as part of the decision-making.

"Whilst we understand that a taxi operator’s request for an operator’s license would not normally require a decision by the public protection sub-committee, this is different because of the complaints."

Mr Lewtas also questioned why no details of where Uber would be based in Blackpool were revealed, when taxi policy states licences would not be granted for an operating base outside the town.

The council said the Uber application was treated in the same way as previous applications made by the 27 private hire operators currently licensed.

Paula Burdess, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: “The issues raised by local taxi drivers about drivers licensed outside the area could not lawfully be considered in relation to this application.

"It was purely about Uber’s suitability to hold an operator’s licence.”

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