Southampton hackney drivers move closer to Uber as platform confirms talks remain under consideration during council meeting
- Perry Richardson
- Jun 29
- 2 min read
Southampton licensed hackney carriage drivers could soon be given access to the Uber platform after the company confirmed the proposal remains under consideration during the latest Taxi and Private Hire Trade Forum.
The possibility of Southampton City Council licensed hackney carriage drivers accepting bookings through Uber was one of the most debated topics at the forum on 16 June. While no decision has yet been made, Uber representative Luke Juan told attendees the matter remained under consideration and that he would seek an update on progress.
The issue was raised by GMB representatives, who warned that allowing Southampton hackney carriage drivers onto the app could significantly affect private hire drivers already working through Uber. They argued that increasing the number of available drivers would reduce earnings by spreading work across a larger workforce and limiting periods of surge pricing.
GMB representatives also suggested some hackney carriage drivers could log onto the platform simply to increase the apparent supply of available vehicles, reducing dynamic pricing opportunities without necessarily completing significant numbers of trips. They acknowledged the downturn in traditional hackney carriage work but argued that customers were increasingly choosing app-based private hire services because of pricing and convenience. In their view, unless hackney carriage and private hire licensing regimes were combined, extending Uber access would unfairly favour one section of the trade.
Responding to those concerns, Juan said Uber already operates with minimum pricing guidance and that, despite an increase in driver numbers, passenger demand on the platform continues to grow. He also confirmed that Southampton licensed hackney carriage drivers have not yet joined the platform because Uber has not completed arrangements to onboard them.
Unite representative Perry McMillan argued the debate should be viewed in a wider context. He noted that hackney carriage drivers licensed by authorities outside Southampton are already able to work in the city through Uber, meaning Southampton licensed drivers could currently be at a competitive disadvantage.
McMillan also reminded attendees that requests for Southampton hackney carriage drivers to access Uber and other operator networks, including Radio Taxis, have been made previously following changes to the city’s taxi fare structure.
The discussion reflects wider changes across the UK taxi market as traditional hackney carriage operators increasingly seek additional sources of work through app-based platforms. While private hire operators have historically dominated digital bookings, several technology providers have begun integrating licensed taxis into their services to provide passengers with greater vehicle availability while offering taxi drivers access to a larger customer base.
No timetable was provided for a decision on Southampton hackney carriage drivers joining Uber, but the company confirmed discussions remain active.
