Plymouth is first place in Devon to get Uber taxis

Plymouth is set to the be the first place in Devon grant two app-based taxi firms to set up shop after the council's licensing committee gave them the thumbs up.

Earlier this month PlymouthLive reported on how the two taxi-app companies - Uber and Smartzi - wanted to finally begin their operations in the city, with Uber already having already had success in major UK cities like London, Southampton, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leeds and Bristol as well as large towns like Worthing, Grays, Stratford-upon-Avon, Epsom, Solihull, St Albans and Royal Leamington Spa.

Both app-based firms applied to Plymouth City Council 's taxi licensing committee for private hire vehicle operators' licences to run services. Council documents set out the committee was being asked to consider whether directors of both companies are considered a fit and proper people to be granted a Private Hire Vehicle Operator’s Licence - a key requirement under the Plymouth City Council Act 1975.

The committee members were also asked to determine the appropriate lengthy of time a licence should be granted for and whether any conditions should be imposed on any licence. Uber passengers use an app to connect to a driver who uses their own vehicle. They can pick up passengers for a journey which is pre-paid through the app.

Uber has operated across most major towns and cities in the UK for several years. The app tracks trips, has driver ratings and emergency support.

Earlier this year Uber Britannia Limited applied for a private hire vehicle operator licence for five years, with the intention of having 160 vehicles licensed per year. In contrast, Smartzi’s application, submitted in March, proposes a single licensed vehicle per year over the same period.

Uber was set up in the USA in 2009 and now operates in about 70 countries. It classifies its drivers as gig workers or independent contractors.

UK-based Smartzi calls itself an “ethical technology business”. It boasts of “better service, lower fares and happier drivers”.

The taxi licensing committee report stated: "Officers recognise that if this application is granted it will potentially affect other private hire operators in the city – the committee is reminded that this is not a factor to be considered when deciding the application."

Last year, Plymouth taxi drivers warned that a worsening shortage of cabbies was causing problems for the city’s hospitality sector. They said it was also potentially putting women at risk.

Following the committee meeting today [November 21] the council issued a statement saying it had agreed to issue private hire vehicle operators’ licences to both of the app-based ride companies.

A spokesperson for the council said: "Uber and Smartzi will be able to operate services in the city after the committee decided both met the council’s taxi licensing policy criteria. Both have been given a private hire vehicle operator licence for five years.

"The decision was unanimous by the committee after it heard that both applicants complied with the legislation and policies that govern how taxis operate in the city. A licence has to be granted where all policy and legal requirements are met.

"Any driver or vehicle used by Uber or Smartzi would still require a private hire driver’s licence and a vehicle licence issued by Plymouth City Council to work through these operators."

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