CornwallLive readers have been sharing their views on Uber and taxi regulations in Cornwall, with mixed opinions on pricing, safety, and how the rules are enforced.
Local taxi drivers have raised concerns about an influx of Uber drivers from other regions who they say are flouting licensing rules by parking at taxi ranks and picking up passengers without pre-booking, in order to take advantage of the busy summer season.
In one incident, an Uber driver was filmed swearing at a Cornwall-based taxi driver after being challenged about operating outside the county and parking on a rank. The Uber driver said that "nothing will happen" if the local driver reported him to Cornwall Council.
There have also been reports of Uber drivers undercutting local operators at first, then sharply increasing prices once they have built up a customer base. CornwallLive has seen screenshots of fares that are more than double what local taxi drivers would charge.
The main worry for local taxi drivers is that Uber drivers, some travelling from as far as Wolverhampton, Gloucester, Southampton and Bristol, are breaking licensing laws by working from taxi ranks and accepting flag-down passengers. They also claim these drivers are sleeping in their vehicles and parking in laybys, loading bays and other spots where they can pick up fares.
One reader, Name_that_was_tap comments: " Uber uses an app so all bookings are technically pre-booked without the need to be a Hackney Carriage Operator, plus, the app gives you different rates to different type of vehicle you request/prefer. Not a bad thing in my idea, plus after your journey you can rate the experience. Some taxis in Cornwall are downright dirty with rude drivers, and when you complain, nothing gets done. Uber is better in so many ways."
16Fairfield suggests: "Cornwall Council have allowed Uber to operate in Cornwall, Uber, along with all non-hackney Taxis (light on top), do not have to have a meter and Uber and private hire are allowed to charge whatever they want (the Council have advised this is true and they do not have meters). As with all new areas, Uber subsidise early fares to get business, and as with places like Plymouth, the drivers come from far away to work the profitable shifts. The hope is that local private hire drivers do not sign up for Uber as there is not normally enough work to keep Uber going in Cornwall, the sad thing is lots of visitors have the Uber App and will use it if they can as they don't know any local firms. The blame for Uber in Cornwall lies totally with the Council."
Loladog feels: "In the summer, you can never get a taxi when you want one, so more competition should help. If you don't like the prices, then don't use them."
RickOshay writes: "The journey from Perran Sands holiday park to Perranporth is under 2 miles, and Brett Bennett KXR Cars says he charges customers £11. That’s why competition is needed."
Baggyboatee says: "Make the Uber's life difficult by hounding them with safety checks and personal license details, etc., and hope they will move on. Get the locals to advertise their taxi fare prices so locals/visitors know how reasonable."
Red believes: "The problem is that they're breaking the rules, and the Council can't (or doesn't want) enforce anything. Private hiring has been around for a very long time."
Over on our Facebook page, Adam A comments: "Uber is way more convenient than a traditional taxi service. Local drivers could make the switch, too."
Keith A adds: "We have the same in the Lake District Uber taxis coming from all over and drivers sleeping in their cars."
Kieran M feels: "If there isn’t one already, there should be a cabotage rule. You can do jobs from your zone to others and be allowed to do a return journey back out of the away zone towards your zone, but you shouldn’t be able to do local jobs within areas outside of where you're registered. Defeats the whole point of having zones."
Karl B writes: "Cornwall is one of the few parts of the country where you're lucky to get a cab during the day – my last few attempts with local companies have fallen flat (one for a medical emergency). I was delighted to see Uber availability for a recent need – last time I had to get a car repaired in Truro, it cost me over 115 on the meter with a local taxi from Truro to St Ives; a peak-time Uber trip from Blackwater was 50 quid… I don't see Uber making cabs more expensive – at worst, they'll be more available at a similar price, or cheaper, much like they are in every major city in the UK. I'm no Uber fanboy, but taxis here are shocking."
Do you think it's fair that out-of-town Uber drivers are taking trade from the local drivers? Comment below or HERE to have your say.
Uber Influx in Cornwall Fuels Taxi Competition Debate