Council licensed Uber to operator in B&H, although they only issue that license for a maximum of a year, not the five years available to existing operators.
Will Uber appeal that decision, who knows?
Year: 2015
Taxi Forum Agenda 29th October 2015, and draft minutes from Taxi Forum 2nd July 2015.
Brighton & Hove Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Consultation Forum
Meeting in Committee Room 3 , Brighton Town Hall, Brighton
13.30pm Thursday 29th 2015
AGENDA
1. Apologies
2. Minutes from last meeting
DRAFT Taxi Forum Minutes 2nd Sept 2015
3. Traffic Management, Ranks, Brighton Station, Amex
4. Hollingbury Terrace Rank
5. Sussex Police
6. Enforcement – inc Advanced Stop Lines
7. Taxis Marshalls
8. Taxis Fouling
9. Child Safeguarding (Streamline)
10. Uber
11. Licence Fees
12. Hackney Carriage Unmet Demand Survey
Hackney Carriage Demand Survey 2015
13. Blue Book
14. Forum Terms of Reference (Streamline)
15. Child Safeguarding
16. Rear Windscreen Advertising
17. Items for next Meeting
18. Date of next meeting
TBC
Should any B&H licensed driver wish to put forward any ideas or concerns, relating to the above agenda and/or previous forum minutes, could they please contact the PH Ass via the contact details in the top right corner of the site, or via the usual suspects.
Uber to have Private Hire Operator’s license decided next Monday (19/10/15)
Council to discuss granting Uber licence in Brigton and Hove
A CRUNCH meeting on whether or not taxi service Uber will be rolling out in Brighton and Hove is set for next week.
Brighton and Hove City Council’s licensing panel will discuss whether or not to grant a operator’s licence to the firm at a meeting on Monday.
Uber is a taxi mobile phone application which allows users to connect with private hire drivers directly who then use their own cars to pick up and drop off passengers – cutting out a central booking agent.
The app is contentious due to Uber drivers not undergoing the same licensing procedures as traditional cabbies and is considered by some as unfair competition.
In the council’s report to the panel officers have not made a recommendation saying “this is new emerging technology” and they have “no previous experience”.
Issues noted in the report include allegations of uninsured drivers, no way of requesting a wheelchair accessible vehicle, price surging, data protection breaches, and accusations of tax dodging.
A catalogue of objections to the service has also been submitted from some of the city’s existing taxi companies as part of the deputation.
In his submission, John Streeter, vice chairman of Brighton and Hove Streamline, said: “I am not looking to ban Uber, but to bring it into line with what the public expects from a transport provider today.
“It is a very important to ensure the welfare of passengers is made paramount. Passengers have a right to know that when they book an operator, the service will be reliable, traceable and fairly priced.”
Councillor Mary Mears also raised concerns saying in her letter, “the question is are they ‘fit and proper’, in my view they are not”.
She added: “There is documentation from around the world where there has been serious issues with Uber.”
The report concludes: “In summary – many allegations have been made, but it is important to differentiate those that relate to matters abroad and are often multiple hearsay and those within a domestic environment.
“Within the domestic environment, much again is hearsay and should be treated with extreme caution. “It is noted that Transport for London and numerous other local authorities have licensed Uber.
“This would suggest, but is not definitive, that they have not uncovered any concerns about the operating company that would mean that they are not fit and proper.”
The application will be discussed at the licensing panel meeting on 10am on Monday in committee room two at Brighton Town Hall.
Source : The Argus
Taxi Forum Agenda 2nd September 2015, and draft minutes from Taxi Forum 14th July 2015.
Brighton & Hove Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Consultation Forum
Meeting in Committee Room 3 , Brighton Town Hall, Brighton
13.30pm Wednesday 2nd September 2015
AGENDA
1. Apologies
2. Minutes from last meeting
Draft Taxi Forum Minutes 14th July 2015
3. Albion In The Community Cancer Champions (TBC)
4. Traffic Management, Ranks, Brighton Station, Amex (inc Longridge Avenue)
5. Sussex Police
6. Enforcement
7. Child Safeguarding (Streamline)
8. Uber
9. Hackney Carriage Unmet Demand Survey
10. Blue Book
11. Deregulation Bill
12. Health Incentives for Taxi Drivers
13. Items for next Meeting
14. Date of next meeting
29th October 2015
Sussex Police request drivers insight re vulnerable customers.
Instances of sexual assault against men and women are increasing nationally and are most common during the night time economy when people are going out to pubs, clubs and restaurants.
Sussex Police is looking at ways to reduce these incidents and we believe you could play an important role in stopping people becoming victims.
I would be grateful if you could take just a few moments to help us understand how you have dealt with this issue in the past or how you might deal with a situation in the future. There are no more than eight questions.
Your answers will be treated completely anonymously so I encourage you to be as honest as possible to help us get the most out of your replies.
Could drivers please complete the survey online, they can access it here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FBK5J3B
Thank you
Al Brookes
Customer Insight Advisor
Sussex Police
Minutes (draft) for last Taxi Forum 14th July 2015
Please find below the official council minutes for the last Taxi Forum. If you have any questions please contact the usual suspects. Once again if you would like to piss your money up the wall on idiots, please contact the GMB.
Taxi Forum Agenda 14th July 2015, and draft minutes from Taxi Forum 14th May 2015.
Brighton & Hove Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Consultation Forum
Meeting in Council Chamber, Brighton Town Hall, Brighton
13.30pm Tuesday 14th July 2015
AGENDA
1. Apologies
2. Minutes from last meeting
Taxi Forum Minutes 14th May 2015
3. Albion In The Community Cancer Champions (TBC)
4. Traffic Management, Ranks, Brighton Station, Amex (inc Longridge Avenue)
5. Sussex Police
6. East Street (Streamline)
7. Child Safeguarding (Streamline)
8. Uber
9. Hackney Carriage Unmet Demand Survey
10. Approved Testing Garages (Streamline)
11. Enforcement
12. Blue Book
13. Clean Vehicle Technology
14. Deregulation Bill
15. Health Incentives for Taxi Drivers
16. Items for next Meeting
17. Date of next meeting
2nd September 2015
Should any B&H licensed driver wish to put forward any ideas or concerns, relating to the above agenda and/or previous forum minutes, could they please contact the PH Ass via the contact details in the top right corner of the site, or via the usual suspects.
Taxi Forum Agenda 14th May 2015, and draft minutes from Taxi Forum 17th March 2015.
Brighton & Hove Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Consultation Forum
Meeting in Committee Room 3, Brighton Town Hall, Brighton
13.30pm Thursday 14th May 2015
AGENDA
1. Apologies
2. Minutes from last meeting
DRAFT Taxi Forum Minutes 17 03 2015
3. Traffic Management, Ranks, Brighton Station, Amex (inc Longridge Avenue)
4. Sussex Police
5. Uber
6. Approved Testing Garages (Streamline)
7. Enforcement
8. Blue Book
9. Hackney Carriage Unmet Demand Survey
10. Clean Vehicle Technology
11. Deregulation Bill
12. Health Incentives for Taxi Drivers
13. Items for next Meeting
14. Date of next meeting
To Be Confirmed
Should any B&H licensed driver wish to put forward any ideas or concerns, relating to the above agenda and/or previous forum minutes, could they please contact the PH Ass via the contact details in the top right corner of the site, or via the usual suspects.
B&H Council Briefing Documnet on Uber
On 23.03.15. Uber applied to BHCC for a PHV Operators licence. BHCC have to be satisfied that the operator is fit and proper. This is the only test. If we cannot identify any concerns we must grant . There is no definitive definition of what the test means.
Recent concerns with regards to the Casey report on Rotherham have highlighted the role of taxis in the many cases of CSE in that town. As such this has become a major factor and one we have considered in light of this new operating format (please see below).
Another major concern for the city is the issue of equalities, particularly with regard to the provision of taxis to those with disabilities. Data protection is also an area of great concern this relates to both protection of the vulnerable and wider Data issues. In both case we are awaiting further information before we confirm the licence.
It will be difficult for us to refuse and to do so we will have to fit it in to the criteria of “fit and proper”. We fully recognise the implication for the licenced trade and the consternation this will cause them. We believe that already at least one Councillor has approached licensing committee about the issue.
Uber have provided a summary of their operation. But essentially they provide a taxi service accessible through a mobile telephone application. The customer is able to view taxis in the location and track the taxi in real time on their mobile telephone. The customer also is sent the vehicle and driver details. The customer gets an estimate of the fare which is then paid through the mobile telephone.
The Uber operation began in the USA in 2005 and has branched out to several countries and has been operational in the UK since 2012. They currently operate in London, Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham. The emergence of the brand has led to protests from traditional cabs and operators, especially in London. The operation is very successful and the brand is worth some 35 billion dollars.
It is understood that Uber has targeted Brighton and Hove because over the past six months they claim some 15,000 potential users from the city have sought to use the Uber application. This is perhaps not surprising given the young and technical savvy population.
Although the granting of an operator’s licence is normally a delegated task to officers the granting of this licence may have wider political ramifications given the apprehended staunch protest from the traditional trade.
A preliminary concern raised by the trade involved the Uber cabs not displaying a telephone contact number. Although Uber were offered the opportunity to display the name Uber on the cabs this is not something they wish to pursue and the cars will be unliveried with simply a licence plate on the back of the vehicle. This may give some concern given the potential for an unlicensed driver to pose as an Uber one. However this does not mean that Uber themselves are not fit and proper.
Two areas of concern that need to be clarified with Uber relate to equalities and data protection. Uber are being approached to provide a statement as to how the needs and requirements of customers with a disability will be met. This includes the monitoring of information regarding the number of customers carried with an obvious or declared disability. The second area of concern how will Uber store the data provided by customers to comply with data protection regulations. It is understood that their computer services and data are located in Holland.
The Equalities issue is of course a concern, but may not sit within the fit and proper test. Data Protections and the ability for its misuse is in our view a factor to consider and as such we have required more information.
Anecdotally the Uber process is safer for all concerned both driver and customer. There is no cash transaction making drivers less vulnerable to theft. Further the customer can closely track their cab with a named and identified driver, which can be monitored by a third person. There has been some negative publicity worldwide but no negative reports in the UK.
Also it will end calls that are untraceable ( save for stolen phones) if you use Uber then they can track the call origin helping to promote additional protection for drivers – if you know you can be found you are less likely to offend.
The customer can grade the driver with a star system and Uber claim that they can suspend a driver from their system with ‘one click.’ Uber describes itself as having a ‘zero tolerance approach to any illegal activities, such as plying for hire’.
It is not necessarily a concern for the authority but it is likely that the rates charged by Uber could be higher than those charged by existing PHV’s in the city. However, the council has no power to set PHV rates. So our residents face an increase in taxi fares, but this is not a reason for refusing an operators licence.
Although Uber will have an office located in Brighton the UK operation is essentially run from an office in Manchester. However some of the documentation sworn to attest to their propriety. Indeed documentation provided to attest to their propriety was sworn in California. This is problematic in areas such as criminal background checks, as the applicant is a US citizen living abroad. It should be noted this has been accepted by 4 major cities as detailed above.
There may be some concern that the monitoring of drivers through a locally based operational manager would be lost. But in reality as of October 2015 the need for an operator to be located in a particular borough or district will disappear and cross border work will be legal.
There is an argument for setting out our stall in terms of expectations on safety, equality and data protection at this early stage when we have some negotiating power over Uber.
It is also of note that were we to refuse they could set up in adjacent authorities and we could find ourselves in a situation where post deregulation ( in certain circumstances even before) having Uber using local drivers even though they are not based here.
It has to be noted that Uber are very wealthy and any refusal is likely to be appealed with significant resources thrown into the fight. The defence could then prove costly to the authority should we become liable to pay Uber’s hefty costs.
Further the LGA has exhorted us to embrace new technologies in this field and to obstruct Uber could be perceived as anti progress and the future for the taxi trade. But the granting of a licence will almost certainly have some backlash from the trade which sees Uber as a commercial threat to their livelihood.
There are some positives in terms of Public Protection that we feel should be highlighted. In general the ability to track a journey (with a fare paying passenger in the car) by a third part increases the safety element of a journey. A child could be place in a vehicle and then followed the whole way – any deviations or stops can be monitored and challenged.
While it is too late for them to have applied for any of our transport contracts – in the future they may do so – this would be a boon to monitoring say school contacts, with both officers and parents being able to monitor the journey.
There is clearly an appetite for this service from many of our local residents. No doubt it will also have a negative impact on the taxi trade and also may see a fare increase. These issues are not ones that we can consider in terms of the licensing requirements.
Our biggest negative concern is unlivereied private licence cars being copied by unlicensed drivers, but the very nature of the system means that this s should be impossible.
Taxi Forum Agenda 17th March 2015, and draft minutes from Taxi Forum 20th January 2015.
Brighton & Hove Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Consultation Forum
Meeting in Committee Room 3, Brighton Town Hall, Brighton
13.00pm Tuesday 17th March 2015
AGENDA
1. Apologies
2. Minutes from last meeting
Official Council (draft) Minutes for Taxi Forum 20/01/15
3. Safeguarding – Rotherham Report
4. Revocations and Suspensions (Streamline)
5. Traffic Management, Ranks, Brighton Station, Amex
6. Valley Gardens
7. Sussex Police
8. Enforcement
9. Committee Report – Fare Changes
10. Clean Vehicle Technology
11. Deregulation Bill
12. Items for next Meeting
13. Date of next meeting
To Be Confirmed
Should any B&H licensed driver wish to put forward any ideas or concerns, relating to the above agenda and/or previous forum minutes, could they please contact the PH Ass via the contact details in the top right corner of the site, or via the usual suspects.
Brighton and Hove Private Hire Association 