over licensing to the yet undefined ‘Transport Authorities’ whatever entity this will be.
With the government dithering on the election of ‘God Mayors’, local elections and impending devolution, I double underline how this government clearly could not give a monkey’s whatsit about localism, and localism is literally what the Local Government Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1976 was based on, which itself will have to be scrapped.
Because of this government’s apparent policy of eradicating localism, I have absolutely no faith in it making any decision that will keep the taxi and private hire trade local, but instead will favour faceless apps. As I constantly state; I strongly believe that at the end of the ‘Call for Evidence – Taxi Private Hire’ consultation, new legislation will be created that actually supports cross-border hiring by implementing a National Minimum Standard. So, there will be ‘no problem’ with cross-bordering hiring because every taxi/PH driver will meet that minimum standard and government will assert: “We have cured cross-border hiring with our new NMS and we have also removed borders with the creation of seventy new larger licensing areas, just as Uber always wanted… so go away and shut up.”
Uber the true cost
There has been quite a lot in the trade news recently about how Uber is changing its T&Cs. This is based on Uber going full pelt on being classed as the ‘Agent’ outside of London, whereas in London it is classed as the ‘Principle’. Although being the Agent is what most traditional taxi/PH companies have worked under since the LGMP Act 1976.
However, Uber has now revealed the true cost of being on its platform because it has issued a statement that as of January 1st, its new variable ‘service fee’ structure will be up to 49%! It gets around calling it ‘service fee’ under ‘Uber speak’ instead of what it really is, commission.
I nearly choked on my cup of tea with laughter when I read that! But it was certainly worth it!
To confuse the drivers this ‘up to’ will ensure that they will remain oblivious to a set pattern of earnings as the applied percentage will vary between trips. This means different rates will be seen at various different times, effectively meaning you can do a job one day and get £10 but doing the same job the next day you could get £6.
PHTM JANUARY 2026
Do those Uber drivers who abandoned the local companies think that the grass is still greener on the other side? Yeah, yeah, I know that some local cab companies probably could have treated their drivers better, but I hope these are still around and have not been destroyed by Uber so those drivers can go back, even with cap in hand. Additionally, Uber drivers will have to agree to the new T&Cs and of course if those drivers don’t sign on the dotted line then they are off the platform!
I know for a fact that Uber drivers down here, which includes the hundreds of OoTs, are up in arms about this and I have been informed that the local GMB rep is ensuring Uber’s fare structure is on the agenda for the next Trade Forum meeting in January, where there are going to be demands for ‘fare transparency’ whatever that is supposed to mean?
I presume that the rep will be speaking up in support of all Uber drivers who predominantly work here, including those from Southampton, Portsmouth, Chichester, Lewes, Havant, New Forrest and Fareham, as well as those B&H Uber drivers. Not that any local council has any interest in any individual operator’s business model nor does it possess any power to demand any such ‘transparency’ from Uber, or indeed any other private hire company. However, with Uber boldly stating that its ‘service fee’ could be up to 49%, then in reality it could not really be much more transparent!
One point for sure is that drivers working for the two main local companies here know exactly what the fare structure is. This being the local hackney tariff (for both hacks and PH) and whatever is on the meter, is theirs to keep based on a set weekly subscription.
Now, having re-read my ramblings as above, whilst I have always lived by my moto of never ‘suffering fools gladly’ and speaking my mind at whatever cost, I can see that with age, along with twinges and aches, I am also turning into a cantankerous old whatsit…. which is actually something that I am quite proud of.
But, having now entered into the seventh year of writing for PHTM with reflections on the trade in Brighton & Hove and around the country, which must mean some eighty-plus rambling articles, I think I have earned the right to be a cantankerous old whatsit …so I make no excuses!
Have a great New Year, and once again, I hope we all get what we deserve…as long as it is localised!
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