Uber gets permission to operate in Plymouth

Uber will now be able to operate in Plymouth

The taxi app giant Uber has been given a licence to operate in Plymouth.

The firm will be able to hire 160 drivers in the city following the licence approval from Plymouth City Council on Thursday.

The boss of a Plymouth taxi firm said the introduction of Uber would be "severely detrimental" for existing businesses.

The city council said Plymouth needed more taxis and some people in the city welcomed the decision.

Ben Wildman is managing director of Easy Cars in Plymouth

Ben Wildman left the Royal Navy four years ago to set up Easy Cars where he now employs 38 drivers.

He said Uber's move into Plymouth could be "devastating" for his family firm which he runs with his brother and parents.

Mr Wildman said: "If they're taking customers and taking drivers, there are fine margins in running a taxi firm. If you lose a few drivers it could be severely detrimental to the business."

He said there had been a shortage of taxi drivers in Plymouth since Covid but that was no longer the case since Plymouth City Council scrapped a knowledge test in January.

Sophie Haider, Jesse Radley and Yanna Lapworth, all students at Plymouth University, welcomed Uber coming to Plymouth

Some students in the city welcomed the decision to allow Uber in Plymouth.

Sophie Haider said it was what people from other parts of the country expected.

She said: "It's like a safer way to come home which I think is quite handy.

"We don't really use taxis any more so it's what people are used to."

Fellow student Yanna Lapworth said: "After a club, especially if there's a group of us, just to get an Uber back home."