Dear Uber Management,
We, the undersigned private hire drivers working for Uber, are writing to express our deep concerns and dissatisfaction regarding the current state of affairs within the company. As the backbone of Uber's operations, we feel it is our responsibility to bring to your attention the issues that have been affecting us and our ability to sustain a decent livelihood. We urge you to take immediate action to address these grievances for the benefit of both the drivers and the overall Uber community.
1. Fare Transparency: It is disheartening to note that fare transparency does not exist within the Uber platform. As drivers, we are often left in the dark regarding the breakdown of fares, making it difficult for us to understand how our earnings are calculated. We demand that Uber provide clear and transparent information on fare calculations to ensure fairness and trust between the company and its drivers.
2. Unfair Fares: The current fare structure is unfair and fails to match inflation. As the cost of living continues to rise, our earnings remain stagnant or even decrease. We believe that it is imperative for Uber to revise the fare structure to ensure that drivers receive fair compensation for their services, taking into account the rising costs of fuel, maintenance, and other expenses associated with our profession.
3. Inconsistent Hour Restrictions: We have noticed a discrepancy in the hour restrictions imposed on Uber drivers compared to drivers working for other companies. While we understand the importance of driver safety and preventing fatigue, it is unfair that Uber drivers face stricter limitations on the number of hours they can work, while drivers from other companies do not face the same restrictions. We demand equal treatment and fair regulations for all private hire drivers, regardless of the platform they choose to work with.
4. High Trip Commission: The current trip commission charged by Uber is unreasonably high and puts a significant burden on our earnings. We believe that the trip commission should be capped at a maximum of 15% to ensure that drivers receive a fair share of their hard-earned fares. Uber commission percentage per trip should be visible by the drivers before the journey starts.
5. Low Out of Town Prices: The prices for trips outside of our local areas are extremely low and often unsustainable for us as drivers. We urge Uber to review and adjust the out of town pricing to ensure that it aligns with the actual costs and efforts required for these trips. Fair compensation for out of town rides is essential for our livelihoods.
6. Unequal Incentives: It has come to our attention that incentives are being paid out to wheelchair vehicle drivers in Brighton, while drivers from other areas such as Lewes, Chichester, and others are not receiving any incentives whatsoever. This inconsistency is unfair and creates a sense of inequality among drivers. We demand that Uber provide equal opportunities for all drivers to receive incentives based on their performance, regardless of their location or vehicle type.
7. Dynamic Pricing Policy: The current dynamic pricing policy places an unfair burden on drivers. During peak hours or high-demand periods, fares can skyrocket, but drivers do not receive a proportional increase in earnings. We urge Uber to review and adjust the dynamic pricing policy to ensure that drivers receive a fair share of the increased fares during these times.
8. Per Trip Holiday Pay: The introduction of per trip holiday pay is not welcomed by drivers. This policy puts additional financial strain on drivers, as it reduces our overall earnings. We demand that Uber discontinues the per trip holiday pay policy and explores alternative ways to provide fair compensation for drivers during holidays.
9. Cancellation Fee: The cancellation fee for Uber should be increased due to extended waiting time. Currently, the cancellation fee is low and should be £5. Additionally, Uber should not take any commission on the cancellation fee.
10. Fee for reserve trip cancellation: The fee for reserved trip cancellation should be increased due to the extended waiting time. The current cancellation fee for reserve trip is £3.75 but it should be adjusted to reflect the inconvenience caused by the extended waiting time up to 30 minutes.
In light of these concerns, we, the undersigned private hire drivers, have decided to take a united stand to bring attention to these issues. We plan to switch off the Uber application on the 14th October 2023 as a symbolic gesture of our protest. We invite all drivers to join us in signing this letter and showing their support for our cause. We will be gathering to sign the letter on Eaton Road, Hove between 11.00 AM and 13.00 PM on the same day.
We hope that Uber management will take our concerns seriously and work towards resolving these issues promptly. We believe that by addressing these grievances, Uber can create a fairer and more transparent platform that benefits both the drivers and the company as a whole.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. We eagerly await your response.
Sincerely,
Signatory Drivers
A 21-year-old man caught in possession of drugs and associated paraphernalia while travelling in a taxi in Rushden has been sentenced to three years and nine months in prison.
The Northamptonshire Telegraph reports that Deon St Vie was a passenger in the taxi, which was stopped in Hayway, Rushden after the driver had picked him up from an address in Wellingborough, at about 12.30pm on Monday, February 27 this year.
Officers searched St Vie under the Misuse of Drugs Act and found he was carrying more than 122g of cocaine, a small quantity of cannabis, weighing scales and bicarbonate of soda – often used as a cutting agent by drug dealers.
A subsequent search of his home in Wellingborough uncovered a total of 247 individual wraps of heroin and 24 wraps of cocaine – all various weights ranging from 0.47g to 30.54g.
A small quantity of cannabis was also recovered.
In addition to this, two mobile phones, which contained advertising messages he had sent to publicise the sale of Class A drugs, were also seized along with an extendable baton.
St Vie was charged with three counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs – heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine – as well as possession of a Class B drug (cannabis) and the possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.
He pleaded guilty to all five offences at the earliest opportunity and on Thursday, October 5, at Northampton Crown Court was sentenced to three years and nine months.
Speaking after sentencing, Detective Sergeant Rob Johnson of the North LPA crime team said: “Tackling drug harm is a matter of priority for Northamptonshire Police and I am pleased with this sentence which demonstrates that drug supply is taken seriously by both police and the courts."
A new app for ordering taxis offering an Uber-style booking service in Barrow has taken off, according to its founder.
The NW Mail reports that Appy Cabs has been in the making for the past two years and it was officially launched eight weeks ago.
The app allows customers to select their location and drop-off point on a map using the phone's location.
The app, founded by Brian White and seven other members, is linking passengers with independent hackney carriages.
"I have been a taxi driver for 25 years and I felt there was a better way for drivers to be looked after," said Brian.
"We created an app that is free for all hackney carriages. The app works the same way as the online app Uber but with no fees involved."
The business is currently only providing services for people in Barrow and surrounding areas, including Dalton and Ulverston.
Brian believes there was a 'gap' in the taxi market and therefore it has been 'welcomed massively' by the residents.
He said: "There was a massive hole to provide a brilliant app for the town and people absolutely love it.
"I have already driven hundreds of people around. It is growing arms and legs, and we need more drivers to be able to do the work because we took off that well."
Brian said the aim was to create a platform that provides a 'relaxing' experience for both the drivers and the users.
He said: "We are trying to create a platform for people to get a much better service than what they are getting at the moment and to provide a service to the drivers that creates an atmosphere where they don't have to come out on a Sunday and work all day just to pay their bosses for that week of work.
"It is a platform where the drivers can work when they want, and there is no pressure to pay to make a living."
Appy Cabs is doing a £500 raffle on Halloween night for those who download and use the app between now and Halloween night as a way to thank the community.
Source: https://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/23845238.appy-cabs-new-taxi-app-providing-service-barrow/
Taxi fares in East Ayrshire are set to change next month, according to council bosses.
According to the Cumnock Chronicle, East Ayrshire Council proposes to alter fares and other charges in relation to taxis licensed in East Ayrshire.
Bosses say that: "following consultations with persons or organisations appearing to be, or be representative of, the operators of taxis in the area", changes will take place next month.
According to the changes, which are set to come into effect on November 30, the maximum amount a taxi will be able to charge for a journey of between zero and 1,320 yards (0.75 miles) will be £4.
For each additional 125 yards or part thereof, an additional 20p can be added.
Surcharges included in the changes will be hires between midnight and 6am of £2.
Hires between midnight on December 24 until 6am on December 26 and midnight on December 31 until 6am on January 2 will be a double fare.
Five, six, seven and eight-seater taxis will be £2 extra per passenger more than four people.
A waiting time per five minutes will be a surcharge of £1.95.
A fouling charge of £50 will come into effect.
Maximum charges for a 1.5 mile journey will be £6.20. Two miles will be £7.60. 2.5 miles will be £9. Three miles will be £10.40 and five miles will be £16.
Fares in excess of five miles will be the subject of special agreements.
Anyone wishing to make a proposal for fares to remain unchanged should write to Chief Governance Officer, Licensing Unit, Council Headquarters, London Road Kilmarnock, KA3 7BU or email licensing@east-ayrshire.gov.uk by November 8, 2023.
Source: https://www.cumnockchronicle.com/news/23848900.east-ayrshire-taxi-fare-proposals-change-november/
Cabbies in Nuneaton and Bedworth face 'penalty points' for rudeness and unclean vehicles. Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council could bring in the points system under changes to its Hackney Carriage, Private Hire Drivers, Operators and Vehicle Proprietor Licensing Policy and Vehicle Licensing Policy.
CoventryLive reports that the system would be used when there is no offence of breach of licence conditions and would replace the current ‘lighter touch’ enforcement actions that are used when complaints are made about drivers' conduct.
The council has said: "Individual warnings for minor misdemeanours may not warrant a reconsideration of the driver’s ‘fitness and propriety’ to act as a driver but repeated warnings could result in more formal action."
It has said that using a penalty points scheme would improve the levels of compliance. They say it would not be a ‘punishment’ but a scheme to monitor drivers’ behaviour and conduct over a period to establish whether they remain ‘fit and proper’ to hold a licence.
The proposed change would see penalty points given out for a number of misdemeanours such as:
Under the proposed system, points could also be added where drivers are convicted through the courts of some driving offences such as speeding, crossing a red light, bald tyre, using a phone or smoking while driving.
If a driver racks up 12 points, they would be referred to the council's licensing committee, which will decide if any action needs to be taken.
The points system is part of a range of changes that are being proposed to the policy set to be discussed by the council's licensing committee during a meeting at the Town Hall on Tuesday, October 17.
Source: https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-news/taxi-drivers-nuneaton-bedworth-face-27885217
The crackdown targeted drivers operating across council boundaries to ensure public safety and compliance with regulations.
Lucio Valentino relies on his six-year-old Border Collie, Pixel, to help manage his mental health conditions, including depression and personality disorders.
Taxi drivers across the Fylde Coast are set to receive a briefing note aimed at clearing up confusion over out-of-area private hire vehicles.
Police are appealing to find a taxi driver who may have "vital clues" about the murder of Ryan Passey seven years ago since he was fatally stabbed in a Stourbridge nightclub.
A joint operation by Hull City Council, Wolverhampton Council, and Humberside Police has uncovered a number of safety issues with taxis operating in the city.
French taxi drivers are calling for government compensation after suffering significant revenue losses during the Paris Olympics.
Coventry city centre has introduced a new taxi marshal service aimed at improving safety and efficiency for late-night revellers.
A court heard harrowing details of the moment a drink-driving uninsured motorist killed three people in a 90mph crash.
The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans was amongst the thousands who enjoyed the Battle Proms at Highclere Castle on 3 August.
Swindon residents could be facing a hike in taxi fares from October after councillors gave the green light to a £1 increase in the standard fare minimum charge.
Ricky Harold, a 20-year veteran of the town’s taxi trade, was parked in a lay-by when his vehicle was struck from behind by a black Audi A2.
Chinese automotive giant Geely has deepened its commitment to the UK electric vehicle market with a £120m cash injection into London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC).
North Tyneside Council is facing a backlash over plans to increase taxi fares by 6.3%.
Nazim Asmal preyed on his victims after nights out in Preston and Darwen, driving them to secluded spots before carrying out horrific sexual assaults.
Newcastle is set to see a surge in pink taxis driven by women as part of a new initiative aimed at improving passenger safety.
An unlicensed taxi driver who picked up two vulnerable women in Aberdare has been ordered to pay nearly £1,500 in fines and costs.
Cleethorpes taxi drivers are breathing a sigh of relief after council enforcement officers cracked down on vehicles illegally parked in designated taxi ranks.
A Barry man has avoided jail after launching a drunken attack on a taxi driver who refused him entry to his vehicle.
Jersey’s taxi service is in crisis, with driver numbers plummeting by more than a quarter since 2014, a new report has revealed.
On Wednesday 27 July, more than 300 vulnerable youngsters were taken on an all-expenses paid trip to Southport.