Local's react with delight after major taxi giant wins permission for operators licence in Hartlepool...

The controversial move was approved this week by Hartlepool Borough Council, following other local councils granting similar licences to Uber Britannia Ltd in other areas of Teesside, but some local Taxi Firms aren't very happy with the decision.

6th December 2024

Plans for Uber Britannia Ltd to secure an operator’s license in Hartlepool have taken a significant step forward, after councillors voted in favor of the application earlier this week. The decision, however, has reportedly sparked anger amongst local taxi firms and drivers, who claim Uber's entry into the market will threaten their livelihoods.

Local's claim Ubers Filling a Gap in Hartlepool's Taxi Market

Many self employed Hackney Carriage Drivers claim Uber's business model will force them out of business '

Many Hartlepool residents however have welcomed Uber’s arrival, arguing it addresses long-standing issues with Hartlepool's taxi services. Complaints about high fares and the unavailability of taxis during peak periods have left many feeling frustrated, with Uber offering a convenient alternative through its smartphone app.

Uber plans to operate out of The Hartlepool Enterprise Centre on Brougham Terrace, providing what many locals see as a much-needed shakeup to the town’s transportation market.

Council’s Green Light Comes with Standard Conditions

The application was reviewed and approved by the council’s regulatory services committee earlier this week. Officials noted that the conditions attached to the license were in line with those typically applied to any new taxi operator in the town.

However, the move has ruffled feathers among some local taxi firms & drivers alike, particularly those running Hartlepool's Famous Yellow Hackney carriages. Many of these drivers, who are self-employed, argue that they're already struggling to make ends meet in a declining market, warning that Uber’s competitive pricing could drive them out of business entirely.

Council Contracts with lcoal Taxi Firms are said to be Exacerbating the Problem

A staggering £40k Payment was paid to one local Taxi Firm from Hartlpeool Borough Council, with one local resident telling us that this is merely the "tip of the iceberg"

Residents have also raised concerns about Hartlepool Borough Council’s use of local taxi firms for school transportation contracts. One local resident who didnt wished to be named told Teesside Today that the council’s significant spending on these services leaves few taxis available for the general public during peak periods.

"It’s no wonder we can’t get a taxi in Hartlepool," they said. "The council's paying them tens of thousands of pounds for school transport services!"

An investigation by Teesside Today to confirm the claims the local resident made found that in a single financial quarter, Hartlepool Borough Council paid over £40,000 to one taxi firm. The expense was then said to be categorized under the council’s Children’s and Joint Commissioning Services account, adding considerable weight to the residents’ claims as to why Hartlepool's taxis were seemingly unavailable at term time periods, & highlighting how public money is being funneled into private contracts whilst the broader taxi market remains insufficiently resourced.

Uber’s arrival, to many feels like relief, but it’s also clear that the town’s taxi industry faces a period of significant disruption. Whether Uber’s presence will improve services without undermining local drivers incomes remains to be seen, but one thing's for certain: the debate over Hartlepool’s Taxi Industry seems to be far from over given the extent of public funds being channeled into some local firms pockets.