A local authority has criticised the number of Uber drivers picking up passengers at a major airport, warning that it could ruin business for licenced taxis.
Crawley Borough Council is undergoing an investigation of Uber drivers at Gatwick airport over claims the private hire company has broken its licencing agreement.
The council had previously detailed how Uber could have “potentially damaging consequences” for taxi drivers, with one councillor saying he was unfortunately “proven right”.
Under the licencing rules, Uber being a private hire vehicle is unable to loiter in the taxi rank to pick up fares.
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Uber can only move to the taxi area once they have accepted a job
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Uber can only move over to the official taxi area once they have accepted a job and are ready to pick up passengers.
A councillor said at a committee meeting: “No ride hailing app, including Uber, should be behaving in a way that a private hire vehicle is not permitted to behave.
“Anything else from Uber, would be touting for business and would be a breach of their licence.”
The councillor also called for Transport for London to authorise them to act on their behalf when breaches are raised.
Due to Uber having a presence at the airport, Unite unioncab drivers launched industrial action in protest of the unfair advantage Uber has.
It comes after Gatwick airport began advertising Uber services to passengers and introduced Uber reserved bays at the airport.
Private hire taxis cannot pick up fares outside of their licensing areas unless they have been pre-booked.
Unite regional officer Dominic Rothwell stated that Crawley council needs to protect the local taxi trade, “which is vital” to the area’s economic wellbeing.
He added that the council needs to release its “promised investigation” into Uber’s behaviour and crackdown on both the company and Gatwick airport.
He warned that both are responsible for setting up a business model that is a “direct contravention” of the council’s licensing laws.
“The totally unfair practice of London-based Uber cars picking up fares booked while they are parked up in Crawley must end,” he stated.
An Uber spokesperson told the BBC that the company adheres to all “applicable regulations” and operates according to the high standards set across the industry.
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Drivers must park their car before walking to the designated pickup area to meet a rider
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Uber told drivers on its website that they must adhere to the terms of the licencing rules and failure to do so may result in a fine from the airport.
All ride drop-offs must occur at the forecourt terminal while all pickups must occur in the designated pick up areas in the Short Stay Car Parks.
Drivers must park their car before walking to the designated pick up area to meet a rider.
