
Uber has officially launched its services in Wiltshire after being granted an operating licence by the local council.
The move comes as the county struggles with a "significant impact" caused by a sharp decline in taxi numbers, with figures showing that more than a fifth of licensed drivers - a total of 218 - have left the trade since the pandemic.
Council officials hope the app’s arrival will fix local transport gaps, particularly for school children. Jason Salter, the council's head of passenger transport, noted that taxis and private hire vehicles are a "vital element" of school transport solutions.
In a report to councillors, the authority added that they believe "Uber will drive forward levels of service within the county and provide a better service to the public."
The council had previously resisted the move, but officials admitted that drivers licensed in other areas were already working in Wiltshire anyway.
This loophole was "generating a lot of complaints and bad feeling within the trade," prompting the decision to grant a formal licence.
An Uber spokesperson said the company is "pleased" to be in the area and sees a "strong demand" for their app.
However, local taxi operators are worried about their livelihoods. Pavel, a driver in Salisbury, warned that Uber could make things "really difficult" and "take a lot of business" from traditional firms.
Meanwhile, David Curwen of Valley Wide Taxis suggested that while town centres like Chippenham and Trowbridge might feel the heat, rural areas might be less affected.
"Uber operates on short, frequent runs," he said. "People have tried to book Ubers here already and Uber drivers accept it, but then they decline it because it's so far away.
Our average journey takes half an hour. Whereas Ubers rely on five minutes and ten-minute jobs."

The driver was reportedly approached by three men wearing face coverings who "threatened him with a knife and stole £200" before running away.

Aqeel Shakeel’s appeal was dismissed at Dudley Magistrates' Court following a council investigation that used "state-of-the-art technology" to prove his Audi A4 was equipped with the deceptive plates.

Council officers had suggested that future talks should only include senior staff and drivers to avoid "political bias" and "maintain impartiality in the council’s licensing functions."

According to the RAC, average petrol prices have hit 139.64p a litre since the violence began, leaving many drivers struggling to stay profitable.

Terrence Harrington pleaded guilty to attacking driver Mahmoud Arras on December 20, claiming he was left at the "wrong street" while under the influence of eight pints of cider.

The move comes as the Granite City struggles with a severe driver shortage, with only 508 licensed taxis currently operating - less than half of the 1,079 allowed under the city's official limit.

While none of the drivers faced criminal prosecution between 2022 and 2024, officials confirmed that each individual failed to meet the city’s strict safety criteria.

The operation was led by 54-year-old Madjid Belabes, an Uber Eats driver who pocketed nearly £290,000 by charging people £1,200 each to be transported to mainland Europe.

A detailed report headed to the licensing committee compares the two cities' rules on driver checks, vehicle standards and enforcement rules.

Glasgow-based The Taxi Centre, has celebrated 25 years supporting drivers across the country, as the company prepares to move to new premises.

A joint enforcement operation by Roads Policing officers and Southampton City Council licensing officers stopped 24 vehicles operating in the city for full mechanical inspections.

The move, aimed at making women feel "more comfortable in the back seat" and "more confident behind the wheel," follows a successful pilot programme.

Taxi passengers in Inverclyde are facing an 8 per cent increase in fares after local councillors moved forward with plans to raise the cost of travel across the district. The proposal, which includes hikes to both the in

Derby city bosses have voted to soften a controversial rule regarding the age of private hire vehicles, raising the age limit for newly licensed cars from the suggested five years to nine years.

The company, Doctors on Wheels Ltd, is accused of submitting bogus medical forms to the DVLA for drivers seeking to operate taxis, buses and lorries.

Under the new agreement, daytime fares will increase by five per cent, while night-time journeys between 10pm and 6am will jump by 10 per cent.

Kieran Abercrombie, Robert Thomson, Kenzie Gardner, and Tyler Ramage carried out the attacks in May 2025 as part of an escalating "gangland war" between rival crime families.

The decision follows an independent survey which confirmed there is currently no evidence of "unmet demand" from the public.

Muhammad Saleem appeared before the Regulation and Licensing Committee after Police Scotland flagged a previous offence where he was clocked travelling at 95mph. 

Driver Mo, who works for Carrot Cars, was transporting a couple to the Royal London Hospital when they realised the baby, named Sven, was arriving much sooner than expected.
