Fast-growing private hire giant Veezu, boasting a network of 16,000 drivers nationwide, has set its sights on York, applying for an operator's licence in the historic city.
The Cardiff-based company, which claims to be "Britain’s fastest growing private hire company," is currently in the process of acquiring local firm Drive Private Hire Ltd, situated on Layerthorpe.
According to a City of York Council report, Veezu's application indicates a potential fleet of over 90 vehicles operating within York. The report also highlights the company's existing significant presence in neighbouring areas, noting that Veezu "holds 115 private hire operator’s licences issued by nearby local authorities, including Leeds and Hull councils."
The crucial decision on whether to grant Veezu the licence will be made by the council's licensing and regulatory sub-committee at a meeting scheduled for Monday, April 28th.
A key consideration for the committee will be whether the applicant is deemed "a fit and proper person." The council report emphasises the importance of this assessment, stating that it is important, "as people give a lot of personal information when hiring a private hire vehicle."
Founded in 2013, Veezu has rapidly expanded through strategic acquisitions of private hire firms across the UK, including Premier Cars in Leeds.
The company's significant growth is underscored by its recent milestones, having generated "more than £1m from passenger fares in a single day for the first time" in 2023.
Furthermore, their mobile application has achieved over a million downloads, demonstrating their substantial reach and technological infrastructure. The upcoming licensing decision will determine whether York will become the latest city to see the Veezu brand on its roads.
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