Uber and rival bid to run in city

LICENSING COMMITTEE WILL DECIDE WHETHER TO ALLOW

- WILLIAM TELFORD

TAXI-APP company Uber and its rival Smartzi want to start operating in Plymouth. Uber alone wants to run up to 160 cabs in the city and Plymouth City Council's taxi licensing committee will decide next week if the firms will be allowed to compete with existing firms.

Both app-based ride companies have applied to the council for private hire vehicle operators' licences so they can run services. Newly-published council documents set out what the committee is being asked to consider which is whether directors of both companies are considered a fit and proper people to be granted a Private Hire Vehicle Operator's Licence.

The councillors, who meet on November 21, will also have to decide the appropriate length of time a licence should be granted for, if they decide to issue one. It could be for up to five years. The committee will also have to look at whether any conditions should be imposed on any licence.