Hackney carriage and Private Hire set to unite in protest against Uber in York

Hackney carriage and Private Hire drivers will unite tomorrow in York, as they protest against the licensing of Uber.   

The protest will take place outside City of York Council offices on Tuesday 12 December. The protest will be different from the one that was heard in September, when around 70 drivers drove around the city in what's known as a " go slow" protest. This time, as reported in the York Press the protest will be supported outside the council offices where the Gambling, Licensing & Regulatory Committee are due to meet to discuss Uber's license. Secretary of York Private Hire Association, Mike Palmer, said the protest would not disrupt traffic in the city. He went on to add: "We're trying to show councillors in the meeting there's a solidarity in the city and it's emotive subject we all want to see resolved. "I think we're approaching 50/50 on a decision, that's my best guess. We have councillors who understand the great implications but the hearing is just about the York licence and the drivers in York are known to the council, and people who are part of the York community" Uber only have a small amount of drivers registered in York, but large numbers of Uber drivers licensed in other areas are reported to drive into the city during busy periods to pick up work. Local drivers say Uber are taking business from them, but also operate without the same safety and security checks as them.  The protest comes a few days after Sheffield City Council suspended Uber's operating licence from December 18. The suspension was applied because of an administrative change on Uber's licence application. Uber have said they will appeal the decision.