Concerns expressed by York taxi and private hire drivers over out of town Uber drivers

Concerns have been raised yet again in the York area over the amount of road traffic infringements being perpetuated by Uber drivers.

Both taxi and private hire drivers in the area have expressed concern and disbelief at what is seen as an acute lack of knowledge from some Uber drivers.

Uber, as reported in  York Mix are not licensed to operate in York, and have not had a license to operate there since December 2017, yet because of the lack of cross-border legislation, drivers on the ride-hailing platform are able to operate with impunity.

One driver who holds a dual license in York has stated that it would only be a matter of time before somebody gets seriously injured.

Issues raised by drivers other than the low standard of driving ability are the over-reliance on sat-nav systems, distracting the driver and the lack of local knowledge, illegally picking up work off of the street without a booking, thus negating any insurance that the driver may have.

It is understood that although offences which are reported to the council are investigated, the department which deals with complaints is on the backfoot because it is overworked and underfunded, according to cabbies in the area.

A legal opinion has been commissioned by taxi leaders, from a barrister specialising in licensing issues, on the basis that Uber drivers who are not licensed in York vehicles are operating illegally, however, the council are still awaiting its own legal guidance.