UBER UPDATE
UBER GRANTED OPERATOR LICENCE IN THANET AND IS SCHEDULING DRIVER ONBOARDING APPOINTMENTS
Thanet firms are concerned as Uber has been granted an operator licence and is now scheduling driver onboarding appointments in the area. Andrew Doody, Chair of Thanet Private Hire Association (TPHA) which represents local firms, United Taxis, Thanet Cars and Central Cars, who have served the local community for over forty years said: “We already have booking apps so Uber brings nothing new to Thanet. Plus, Uber also uses surge pricing so fares rise with higher demand. “Furthermore, having contacted several companies across the UK and read online about the effect Uber has on drivers’ earnings, over say a two-year period, it seems to be that a 50% drop is common. “This only leads to a drop in drivers
and therefore a dramatic drop in service. Customers’ fares with these online rideshare faceless companies are frequently chang- ing, sometimes within minutes, rising dramatically when busy.” The three companies say there has been a driver shortage since Covid but Thanet has recovered from this, successfully restoring the number of licensed drivers to pre- pandemic levels. In a statement they added: “We
UBER LAUNCHES EARTHSHOT PRIZE PARTNERSHIP WITH ENSO DEAL
Uber has launched a strategic partnership with ENSO, to roll out its energy-efficient and low- emission EV tyres across the UK and USA, in order to support the tyre technology company to grow internationally. Earthshot Prize Finalist, ENSO, is a London-born tyre technology com- pany that makes high-perform- ance EV tyres that extend EV range and reduce tyre pollution. As part of this three year strategic partnership, Uber and ENSO will offer thousands of drivers in the UK and USA access to specially dis- counted ENSO tyres via a
54
dedicated Buyer’s Club. London is Uber’s
capital of
electrification globally where almost 30% of Uber’s miles are now fully electric. The company has built up a £145m Clean Air Fund to help drivers go electric in the city. Uber is the most widely available on-demand EV network in the world, providing millions of zero- emissions trips every month. ENSO announced earlier this year that it’s developing a $500m carbon- neutral tyre factory in the US as part of its expansion. It will be operational by 2027, and produce over five million EV tyres per year
now offer reliable and safe services, even during peak times when wait times may extend. This issue is being addressed effectively, with a steady influx of local individuals obtaining their PH licences under the rigorous and approved condit- ions set by Thanet District Council. “Choosing one of our local taxi services guarantees not only safety and a deep understanding of our local routes and customers’ needs but also compliance with safe- guarding and disability awareness standards. Furthermore, customers can trust the fare pricing, unlike Uber’s unpredictable surge pricing. “Local hackney carriage drivers, who serve rail stations and com- munity events, have expressed concerns about competing with the influx of Uber vehicles from outside the area. The last thing our community needs is to face the kind of protests now being seen in Darlington, Manchester, Blackpool and Bristol.” Protests around the country have ranged from local drivers venting their frustration that Uber has, they
say, an unfair advantage
because it can circumvent the local authority’s licensing laws to Uber drivers demonstrating against plummeting incomes and demanding better pay and job protection. TPHA says Uber does not con- tribute to the local economy, adding: “We believe in supporting local businesses that prioritise the safety and well-being of our residents. Together, we and the community champion local taxi companies as the safe, reliable choice.”
NOVEMBER 2024 PHTM
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