Taxi Drivers Rally as Crawley Council Investigates Uber at Gatwick

Adding insult to injury, a local councillor arrived at the town hall in an Uber while the local Crawley taxi drivers were protesting.

The Story

Don Barnes, a representative for Airport Cars and the Unite branch secretary, informed the meeting that the issue was first raised in 2020, with a formal complaint submitted to the licensing team in March of this year.

After considerable delay, Crawley Borough Council is finally taking steps to address the growing concerns from local taxi drivers regarding Uber’s operations at Gatwick Airport.

The growing tension centers around allegations of unfair competition, as Uber drivers, registered in London, are reportedly taking a significant share of the fares, which local taxi drivers claim is undermining their livelihoods.

Local Taxi Drivers Demand Action

On 11 December, Gatwick taxi drivers gathered outside the Crawley Town Hall to demand stronger enforcement of the borough’s taxi licensing laws. These regulations require drivers to hold a license issued by Crawley Borough Council in order to operate within the borough, including at Gatwick Airport.

The demonstration highlighted concerns that Uber's unlicensed vehicles from outside the area were bypassing these rules, leading to an uneven playing field.

Impact on Local Drivers

Taxi drivers report that Uber vehicles, which do not require local licensing, are taking up to half of the fares at Gatwick Airport. This situation has led many drivers to feel their livelihoods are being jeopardized. One driver described the current conditions at the airport as resembling "the wild west," with Uber drivers "stealing" customers and potentially compromising safety standards.

In a recent incident, in Blackpool, an Uber driver reported being "boxed in" and threatened by rival cabbies

Council's Response

In response to the growing frustration, Yasmin Khan, the cabinet member for public protection, confirmed that officers were conducting an investigation into Uber's operations. She reassured concerned parties that legal advice was being sought to clarify the next steps. Although she stated that updates had been provided to the Unite union, not all drivers felt adequately informed.

Cllr Khan emphasized that she would continue to engage with officers to ensure that the issue is addressed.

“I’ve received confirmation that the investigation has progressed. The officers have explored all avenues and they have reviewed the relevant evidence.

“Officers are now in the process of seeking legal advice which will determine the next steps.”