An Uber driver service has officially launched in Thanet today {November 7}
Uber, which connects passengers with drivers through a smartphone app, is an American multinational transportation company that provides driver, courier, food delivery, and freight transport services. It is headquartered in San Francisco, California, and operates in approximately 70 countries.
The firm recently held ‘onboarding’ appointments at The Aspire Centre, Westwood Business Park.
An Uber spokesperson said: “Uber is excited to be launching in Thanet today. This will provide earning opportunities for local drivers, give passengers greater transport options and support the local economy.
“All drivers will have access to industry leading worker rights such as holiday pay and a pension, as well as formal representation through GMB Union, whilst passengers can access a range of industry-leading safety features to ensure a safe trip home.”
Uber says it is providing for unmet demand and that, on average, drivers will earn around £30ph. The company says it abides by the same regulations as all other private hire operators.
The launch has caused some disquiet among the isle’s established taxi firms who say it will “take opportunities away from dedicated local workers.”
Members of the Thanet Private Hire Association, representing United Taxis, Thanet Cars, and Central Cars, say they already have booking apps so Uber brings nothing new to Thanet and they say Uber uses surge pricing so fares rise when demand is higher.
The three companies say there has been a driver shortage since Covid but Thanet has recovered from this, successfully restoring the number of licensed drivers to pre-pandemic levels.
In a statement they added: “We now offer reliable and safe services, even during peak times when wait times may extend. This issue is being addressed effectively, with a steady influx of local individuals obtaining their private hire licenses under the rigorous and approved conditions set by Thanet District Council.”
Thanet council has confirmed Uber has been granted an operator licence for the area.
Could this spell the beginning of the end for the many private hire companies operating within Thanet. One can see the benefits of becoming a Uber Driver but at what cost to the individual.
I’ve never used an Uber, but I have used a Bolt and there is no comparison between the experience of using taxis in the past in Thanet. Bolt abroad is really good, invariably modern clean cars with good drivers.
Can’t be any worse than the present dirty old bangers some taxi drivers use.
Years ago TDC use to insist on taxis being clean both inside and out. Some taxis look like they haven’t been washed in years. The inside have to be of a certain width etc.
Kathie, in this instance and considering its pronunciation , ‘a Über’ is more appropriate to ‘an Uber’?
Yes, the death knell for local taxi firms, all profits going to California.
It still starts with a vowel sound so would still be an Uber
Kathy,
I guess it would depend on how Uber is pronounced , Oober or Youber.
I pronounced it as the latter, probably incorrectly so.
Ton,
The rule when I was at school was simple – if the word started with a vowel it was preceded by an. It is nothing to do with pronunciation.
It is only through laziness and mispronunciation that we now have :
an holiday
an hotel
and
an hot cross bun
The word does start with a vowel, can’t say I have used an before any of your examples, that just sounds odd!
My concern is that uber wasn’t granted a operators licence in Canterbury why have Thanet council granted them one, what concerns did Canterbury have
Supply and demand, room for both local firms and Uber. More choice for all