Veezu Seeks York Taxi Licence to Expand Its Rapid Growth

Veezu, one of the UK’s fastest-growing private hire companies, has applied for a taxi licence in York. The Cardiff-based company, which claims to have more than 16,000 active driver-partners, aims to expand its operations further in the city. As part of this plan, Veezu is in the process of acquiring Drive Private Hire Ltd, a local firm based in Layerthorpe.

According to the application, Veezu intends to have over 90 cars operating in York. The company already holds 115 private hire operator’s licences across other local authorities, including Leeds and Hull. A decision on whether to grant the licence will be made by the City of York Council’s Licensing and Regulatory Sub-Committee on April 28.

The licensing process requires applicants to be considered “a fit and proper person” to ensure they can handle sensitive customer information responsibly. The City of York Council’s report highlights the importance of trustworthiness, especially given the personal details customers share when booking a taxi. The report notes that information, such as travel details, could be misused if not handled properly, making reliability and trust critical.

Veezu, founded in 2013, has grown rapidly, acquiring firms such as Premier Cars in Leeds. The company recently reached a significant milestone, making over £1 million in passenger fares in a single day in 2023, with its app being downloaded more than a million times.

Council report:

"For example, when a booking is made to an airport, and a return booking made for a week or fortnight later, it is reasonably apparent that a holiday is being taken and the house is going to be empty for that period of time. In dishonest hands this information is extremely valuable. It is therefore vital that private hire operators are as trustworthy and reliable as a driver, notwithstanding their slightly remote role."