PROTEST PLIGHT


BLACKPOOL CABBIES BRING TRAFFIC TO HALT IN PROTEST AT UBER DRIVERS OPERATING IN THE TOWN


Taxis brought traffic to a halt in Blackpool on Wednesday 12 June, in protest against what they say are illegal and unfair actions by Uber drivers operating in the town. Drivers from established taxi firms, including C-Cabs, Premier Cabs and Blacktax, joined the protest accompanied by a large police presence which diverted traffic around the protest. Talbot Road was at a standstill between 10am-12pm as several vehicles parked across the carriage- way, making it impossible for other drivers and public transport to pass. However, one of the protesting cabbies told PHTM: “We didn't want to block the road, it was a peaceful protest until the police made us move on and caused the traffic jams and road closures.” Taxi firms say Uber drivers, who are not licensed to


operate in


Blackpool, are moving in from areas such as Blackburn, Preston and Bolton and even as far as Liverpool and Manchester. The protesters say some of the Uber cars are being parked on taxi ranks,and there are also concerns over loss of income, DBS clearance and the condition of the cars. After months of frustration cabbies say they’ve made their


PHTM JULY 2024


point and are calling for Blackpool Council to take action. Colin Jones, a driver for Premier Cabs, said: “They are not licensed to operate here and they are taking work from us, which isn’t on. Some of them are even parking on the ranks, which they are not allowed to do. It isn’t about the cost of the fares, whether they are cheaper or not, it’s the principle of the thing. “The rules we have to work with, in terms of DBS clearance and the condition of our cars, are stringent to say the least. Apart from the MOT, we also have to pass a pit test every year which is really strict. So we take two tests a year and our cars need to be immaculate. Do Uber drivers need to to do all that? “It’s about a lot of things, including public safety, and we have had enough of it. “We’re


calling on Blackpool


Council to do something to protect the local fleets which are part of the Blackpool economy.” Those sentiments were echoed by Dee Grant, one of the directors at C Cabs. She said: “It’s getting out of hand and something needs to be done. As much as anything, it’s a safeguarding issue. “We had a meeting with Blackpool Council and they said there was nothing they could do because the Uber drivers were from outside Blackpool and beyond their jurisdiction. “That’s too easy, we’d like to see them work with the police and stop them from coming here from all over Lancashire - it’s beyond a joke. If we have to operate under strict licences, the pay-off should be that we have protection from


the local authorities.” A Blackpool Council spokesman said: “Taxi operators have alerted us to instances of Uber drivers operating in Blackpool and their concerns around this. “The safety of our residents and visitors is always our priority. “Uber is not licensed by Blackpool Council currently. We are seeking legal opinion in relation to this matter, as we are conscious that the legal framework around taxi legislation is outdated and requires review. “This is not a situation that is unique to


Blackpool. We are


speaking to the Local Government Association as well as our neighbouring authorities to ensure we deal with this robustly.” An Uber spokesperson said: “Uber operates according to the high standards set across the industry and abides by


the same


regulations as all other private hire operators. We look to provide the best possible experience


for


passengers and engage closely with councils across the country. Uber also leads the industry in providing every driver a pension, holiday pay and sickness protection, which almost all local minicab firms do not.”


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