UBER UPDATE
UBER’S BID FOR FIFE BOOKING HUB MET WITH FIERCE LOCAL BACKLASH FROM CABBIES
Uber has officially applied for a licence to open a 24/7 booking office at the Rosyth Business Centre in Fife, but the move is facing heavy criticism from local drivers. While Uber claims there is “strong demand” for its services in the area, the East Fife Taxi Association (EFTA) has raised “serious concerns” about the impact on the local trade. Cabbies have hit out at Fife Council for keeping them in the dark, describing the lack of notice about Uber’s application as “extremely poor communication.”
Linda Holt, spokesperson for EFTA, said: “Fife Council recently held a meeting with taxi operators across Fife to improve communication and engagement with the trade. Many operators are surprised and disappointed that members of the Licensing Department and Committee did not mention the Uber application, despite it having been lodged on January 23.” She warned: “We have significant concerns about the impact this application could have on local drivers’ livelihoods, passenger safety,
regulatory fairness and the long- term sustainability of the trade.” The association’s formal complaint also questions the legitimacy of the proposed base. They claim the named manager lives in York and argue the Rosyth address may be a “nominal” front rather than a genuine operational base, stating: “These factors raise enforceability and public safety concerns.” The final decision now rests with Fife
Council’s Regulation &
Licensing Committee, which will review the application in due course.
LANCASTER CITY COUNCIL GRANTS UBER A PRIVATE HIRE OPERATOR LICENCE
Lancaster City Council has granted a PH operator’s licence to Uber despite denying earlier in the week that they had applied for a licence. The council states that the decision was made after the company fulfilled all required criteria. Until now, Uber drivers
operating in and around the Lancaster district were licensed by other local authorities. By issuing this new licence, Lancaster council will be able to directly monitor, regulate and inspect Uber drivers who have been licensed by the council,
UBER PULLS OUT OF SOUTHEND JUST WEEKS AFTER GETTING LICENCE
Uber has pulled out of Southend, just weeks after being granted a licence to operate in the city. Southend City Council said Uber has informed them it’s chosen to surrender its PH operator licence. It’s understood the reason is that it could not abide by all of the conditions that had been set by the council’s licensing committee. The company has not publicly confirmed this.
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Your Southend reports that Uber is currently still operating in Southend and it’s unclear when they will pull out. Cllr Daniel Cowan, Leader of the Council, said: “Whilst we remain open to applications from potential PH operators, we’re clear that all operators are held to the same fair standards and safeguards – those who don’t adhere to our conditions will not be operating in Southend.”
providing clearer accountability and improved local standards. Cllr Paul Tynan, Chair of Licensing , said: “There’s been understandable concern about Uber drivers operating in the district while licensed elsewhere. This meant we had limited ability to regulate or intervene locally when issues arose. “By granting the licence, we now gain the local oversight and control we did not previously have. Uber applied for the licence, and when an applicant meets all the requirements, the council has a statutory duty to issue it. “We recognise the concerns raised by existing local taxi and PH drivers, but this decision ensures Uber is regulated in the same way as the other 52 PH operators currently licensed in the district. This strengthens our ability to enforce standards, respond to com- plaints and protect passengers.”
MARCH 2026 PHTM
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