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Posted on the 17th April 2025 in PHTM News
BLACKBURN AND PENDLE CABBIES SIGN UP IN DROVES AS UBER LAUNCHES LOCALLY
Hundreds of taxi drivers across Blackburn and Pendle have begun registering to drive for Uber this week, following the ride-sharing giant finally receiving a licence from Blackburn with Darwen Council in November.
The onboarding process commenced on Tuesday at Lomeshaye Business Park in Nelson, marking the end of frustrating delays for prospective drivers who were initially told registration would begin in January, then March.
The move comes after a period where private hire vehicles licensed in other boroughs were commonly seen operating via the Uber app in Blackburn and Pendle.
One Blackburn driver who attended the registration event highlighted the strong initial interest, stating: "There was a lot of demand. I got told around 70 people registered and a further 70 will be online by Thursday."
The driver also noted the decision to launch in both districts simultaneously due to high demand, explaining: "We were told to travel over to Nelson as in the district there was a lot of demand and they decided to launch both licences simultaneously."
The arrival of Uber, the world's largest ride-sharing company with millions of users and drivers globally, is anticipated to significantly impact the local taxi landscape. The registering driver acknowledged this potential shift, saying: "This will most likely affect local firms as people will be joining Uber."
While the increased competition could offer more choice for passengers, the effect on fares remains uncertain. "We are not sure how this will affect prices for customers though. As during peak hours, the prices may be more. But we won’t know until the coming weeks," the driver added.
The council's decision to grant Uber a licence was made despite concerns about the potential impact on existing local taxi firms and their drivers.
To operate on the Uber platform, drivers require a private hire licence from the council that licenses Uber. The coming weeks will reveal the true extent of Uber's influence on the Blackburn and Pendle taxi market.
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