Follow PHTM
Posted on the 18th February 2025 in PHTM News
PETERBOROUGH TAXI DRIVERS FEAR FOR FUTURE OVER ISSUES WITH UBER DRIVERS AT RAILWAY STATION
Peterborough's traditional black cab drivers are raising concerns about the future of their trade, citing issues with Uber drivers operating at the city's railway station.
Mahmood Khan, a taxi driver for over 40 years, and fellow cabbie Jake Carter allege that some Uber drivers are flouting regulations by waiting at the station without pre-booked fares, effectively poaching passengers.
The drivers claim that Uber vehicles congregate in the station's pick-up/drop-off area, and even on the access road, during peak hours. This gives arriving passengers the impression that Uber is readily available, often at a lower cost than a traditional black cab.
While posters have been displayed reminding drivers of the rules, Khan and Carter assert they've had no impact.
"Uber has been operating in Peterborough for about six months now. We don’t have a problem with competition. However, some of the things that some drivers are doing is breaching the rules, which is hindering what we can do," said Carter.
He highlighted the financial burden placed on black cab drivers, noting: "We have to buy a £2,000 licence every year to be able to operate at the station taxi rank. Our taxis are very expensive to buy.
"For the past six months, it has been very difficult for us. People getting off the trains can see there are Ubers in the car park waiting – when private hire vehicles should not be waiting like that, unless they have a pre-booked fare.”
Khan echoed these concerns, stating: "We are seeing people leaving the black cab driving trade as a result of this. It is becoming increasingly difficult for hackney carriage drivers in Peterborough, with the closure of the Showground, the lack of a night time economy like there was a few years ago, and other things disappearing from the city."
He also raised safety concerns, adding: "We are also seeing drivers, including Uber drivers, dropping people off on the mini-roundabout, blocking the road for everyone, and filling up the pick-up/drop off area while they are waiting.
"It is very busy in there now at peak times, and someone could get injured. There appears to be no penalty for them not abiding by the rules.”
An Uber spokesperson responded, saying: “All drivers must adhere to the high standards set across the industry and the regulations of the local authority. All private-hire trips in the UK must be pre-booked and any driver found picking up unbooked trips will permanently lose access to the app.
"We regularly remind drivers that they must adhere to Uber's community guidelines, which includes safely picking up and dropping off passengers in the appropriate areas."
Read another story
- DRUNK THUG WHO TERRORISED CABBIE IN DEAD-END ROBBERY IN LIVERPOOL JAILED FOR 56 MONTHS
Vincent O'Connor, just one month after being released from prison for a similar offence, choked and robbed Kenneth Green, stealing his day's earnings.
- PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER TO PAY £1,600 FOR ILLEGAL PLYING FOR HIRE AT READING FESTIVAL
Hammad Ashraf Khan Manj, from Slough, offered a ride to Slough train station from near the festival site on Tessa Road.
- GMB SHOWS COMMITMENT TO DRIVERS AT LAUNCH OF ROCHDALE BANGLEDESHI PH AND TAXI ASSOCIATION
The Rochdale event brought together PH and taxi drivers, MPs, Rochdale BC leadership, Trade Union reps, GM Police and community leaders to push for better conditions in the sector.
- BLACKBURN TAXI OR PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLE LICENCES TO BE SUSPENDED FOR FAILED MOTS
This new rule means drivers will be prohibited from operating until the vehicle is repaired and retested.
- ABERDEEN TAXI TEST BRIBERY SCANDAL FUELS LICENSING DEBATE
Kashif Iftikhar, after failing the 80-question Street Knowledge Test a staggering twelve times, offered invigilators between £700 and £800 to pass, according to reports.
- MANCHESTER AIRPORT'S BARRIER-FREE PARKING SYSTEM SPARKS CONTROVERSY
Instead of stopping at barriers, drivers will be logged by ANPR and will have until midnight the following day to pay online or by phone.
- NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME BC ORDERED TO PAY COSTS TO TAXI COMPANY OWNER FOR 'IMPROPER' PROSECUTION
The defendant was the co-owner of Lucky Seven Taxis, operating in the Midlands, which had applied for new operating licences after the death of a co-owner in late 2021.
- WHEELCHAIR TAXI SHORTAGE LEAVES USERS ISOLATED IN NORTHERN IRELAND
Some disabled people are being forced to choose between staying home, risking being stranded, or relying on the police for transport.
- GREATER MANCHESTER ORDERED TO REPAY £22.5 MILLION FUNDING ORIGINALLY FOR CLEAN TAXI FUND
Greater Manchester will now focus on spending £51 million on cleaner buses, £5 million on traffic management, and £8 million for taxi fleet upgrades.
- CARDIFF COUNCIL GRANTS HELP TAXI DRIVERS TO CUT EMISSIONS
A Cardiff Council scheme which has provided more than £200,000 of grants to enable the city's taxi drivers to upgrade to more fuel efficient or fully electric vehicles.
- BURNLEY PRIVATE HIRE FIRM FIRES DRIVER AFTER ASSISTANCE DOG REFUSAL
A Burnley private hire company, Apollo Taxis, has terminated its relationship with a driver after he refused to transport a disabled passenger and her assistance dog.
- FIFE TAXI DRIVERS ACCUSED OF ILLEGALLY OPERATING IN DUNDEE, SPARKING COUNCIL PROBE
A video showing a Fife-licensed taxi driver being confronted in Dundee has ignited a probe into allegations of illegal operation by Fife taxis across city lines.
- TAXI DRIVER LICENCE RESTORED AFTER INAPPROPRIATE BANTER BUT NO EVIDENCE OF GROOMING
The driver was accused of inappropriate conversations of a sexual nature with a vulnerable young adult, including suggesting a holiday together in Benidorm and making comments about her nightwear.
- RYANAIR CEO, MICHAEL OLEARY'S, ONE TAXI LOOPHOLE FOR BUS LANE ACCESS
In 2004, O'Leary registered his personal Mercedes-Benz S-Class as a taxi under the name "O'Leary Cabs," a move that granted him a legal loophole to drive in Dublin's bus lanes.
- WATFORD TAXI FIRE INVESTIGATED AS ARSON ATTACK
A taxi was deliberately set on fire in Watford in the early hours of Friday, February 14th, prompting a police investigation.
- MAN WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT CAUTION LOSES TAXI LICENCE APPEAL IN BUCKS
Basit Ali, who accepted the caution in 2012, has been denied a hackney carriage and private hire licence four times since then – in 2015, 2016, 2018, and most recently, in 2023.
- KNIFE WIELDING MAN STEALS PORT TALBOT TAXI AFTER FARE DISPUTE
Jeremy Higgins appeared at Swansea Crown Court after the incident which left the taxi driver feeling "anxious and stressed" at work.
- CARLISLE WOMAN WHO RACIALLY ABUSED AND ASSAULTED CABBIE TAGGED AND TO PAY COMPENSATION
A Carlisle woman has admitted racially aggravated assault after attacking a taxi driver.
- DRUNK DRIVING PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER ARRESTED AFTER CRASHING INTO WELCOME TO BOLTON SIGN
The incident occurred on Friday, 14 February, after dark, when a silver car, reportedly being used as a taxi, collided with the sign on a motorway approach to Bolton.
- LIVERPOOL TAXI DRIVER ASSAULT: POLICE RELEASE CCTV IMAGE
Liverpool police are appealing for information after a taxi driver was violently assaulted in the city centre on Saturday night, 15 February.
