Taxi firm worried after Uber launches in Plymouth

A taxi firm in Plymouth has expressed concern about the impact of Uber after its launch in the city.

The taxi app giant was granted a licence to operate in Plymouth in November with the capacity to hire 160 drivers.

Plymouth City Council said there was a need for more taxis when it approved the licence, but taxi firm TakeMe Plymouth said Uber was impressive but had the potential to "destroy the local marketplace".

Uber has said operating in Plymouth would help boost earning opportunities for drivers and provide passengers with greater transport options across the city.

John McVicar, regional operations manager at TakeMe Plymouth said it was "a shock this was allowed".

Mr McVicar, who worked for the umbrella group which partners with local independent taxi services like Taxi First and Tower Cabs, said he did not believe there was a need for Uber in Plymouth.

He felt the city already had "the right amount" of taxi drivers.

"Our driver numbers are up, they're probably higher than the level of jobs that are out there," he said.

Mr McVicar raised concerns about driver well-being and "double app-ing", when drivers worked for Uber alongside another taxi company, which can often see them working longer hours.

"It's really difficult, drivers who are self employed have the freedom of choice."

He added: "We've got to ensure we're looking after the drivers' welfare, if they're out there everyday 13 hours a day, seven days a week, every single day of the month, that's going to put a lot of stress on them."

Driver Julian Pitorac said the emergence of Uber in Plymouth could be interpreted in "two ways".

He said: "Some drivers really like it and think it's the way forward and others think it's going to be bad for the trade in the future."

Mr McVicar said: "At the moment you've got four main companies here and other little people that surround us helping control the market.

"If Uber come in and lower everything and slowly start to destroy the local marketplace, once we're gone they can charge whatever they want, there will be no choice and I think that's even scarier."

In February Uber said it was looking to formally launch its services in Plymouth "later this year" where "unmet demand is high".

It said: "We are pleased to have been granted a licence to operate in Plymouth, which will help boost earning opportunities for drivers, provide passengers with greater transport options across the city and support the local economy."

It said every Uber driver was legally entitled to worker protections including pension, holiday pay and a guarantee to earn at least the National Living Wage.

Most drivers "can and do earn more", it added.

The BBC has reached out to Uber for further comment.

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