York taxi drivers will gather while councillors decide whether to grant Uber a licence to operate in the city this evening (Tuesday).
Their demonstration will take place ahead of Uber’s application for a private hire licence which is being heard at City of York Council’s West Offices.
It aims to be a show of solidarity from drivers who are concerned about Uber’s re-entry into York.
It comes as the app-based ride hailing firm lodged its application to officially return with at least 91 vehicles following councillors’ refusal to renew its licence in 2017.
The refusal followed a significant data breach and 155 complaints against the firm in the year leading up to the decision in December 2017.
Uber drivers licensed outside of York can currently legally travel in to pick up and drop off customers.
But the granting of the company’s application would allow it to recruit York-based drivers and it is also aiming to open offices at Clifton Moor, if it gets planning approval.
Uber stated in its application that it vets drivers who apply to work for the company and trips are monitored and recorded to keep passengers safe.
The company added it also uses technology to plan pick ups around traffic restrictions and it maintains a 24-hour helpline which councils can contact with safeguarding concerns.
‘Faceless machine’
But Neil Rowley, chair of York Private Hire Association, told YorkMix: “Uber is still a dangerous company as they do not and never have known who is driving their cars.
“They are a faceless machine that has no human base in the cities that they work.
“All York Licensed vehicles and drivers are monitored not only by their local companies, but also by each other. Anyone could be driving an Uber as nobody checks them. Public safety is at huge risk with Uber.”
York Taxi Association’s chair Arfan Asif said out-of-town Uber drivers who did not know about local road rules had previously caused havoc.
He added York private hire drivers were also wary of Uber’s return following instances of some of their taxis plying for trade, contrary to licensing rules.
Mr Asif said: “Nobody can stop them from getting a licence if they abide by the rules.
“But up to now Uber have flooded the market with drivers who don’t know how the traffic system of the area works.
“And it’s getting harder for the taxi drivers here to make a living.”
Mr Rowley also urged the council to delay the decision until after the election.
“We believe it is a terrible time for York councillors to be making what is definitely a political decision considering the fact that a general election is round the corner.
“We believe the legal team at York council should delay this application until after the general election because whatever decision is made will be considered political.
“If Uber really want to play the game fairly in York, they should withdraw their application and reapply after the 4th of July.”