PUBLIC SAFETY AND CROSS BORDER HIRING CONCERNS

Please sign the petition here. https://chng.it/6PhxKCzvTm

Bromsgrove Taxi Association is concerned that Wolverhampton licensed Uber vehicles are operating in Bromsgrove town center without adhering to local licensing regulations, this situation places Uber at a competitive advantage over Bromsgrove's Taxi and private hire trade.

The influx of Wolverhampton licensed Uber cars into Bromsgrove has led to an increase in out-of-town vehicles waiting for passengers on Bromsgrove town centre taxi ranks directly impacting the local Taxi and private hire trade. This is a threat to public safety and the livelihoods of local taxi drivers and the economic stability of Bromsgrove town centre.

Since 2015, taxi drivers have been permitted to be licensed by councils outside their area of operation, a loophole that has allowed non-local licensed drivers to flood into Worcestershire and other areas of England. 

Drivers in Bromsgrove, who have invested in passing the rigorous local knowledge test and paid £540.00 for a licence from Bromsgrove Council, are now facing stiff competition from drivers licensed elsewhere at a cheaper rate. These cross-border drivers are not subjected to Bromsgrove's stringent standards.

Bromsgrove Taxi Association has launched a petition calling on Bromsgrove and Worcestershire Council to ban cross-border hiring. The petition highlights several key issues:

1. Enforcement Gaps: The current system lacks effective enforcement to restrict operations to locally licensed drivers. This has led to an influx of external drivers who do not comply with Bromsgrove's standards.

2. Economic Impact: Local drivers are experiencing significant income losses due to the over-saturation of the market by out-of-area drivers, leading to economic difficulties for many local families.

3. Safety and Standards: The influx of external drivers potentially lowers the quality and safety of taxi services in Bromsgrove and Worcestershire, as these drivers do not undergo the same rigorous checks as Bromsgrove licensed drivers.

The Bromsgrove taxi community is requesting the council to implement a ban on cross-border hiring, to protect the public, strengthen enforcement of local licensing laws, and take immediate measures to protect local drivers and uphold the high standards expected in local transport services which is crucial for the town’s economy.