Uber granted licence to operate in Aberdeen by city council

Uber is set to launch in Aberdeen (Laura Dale/PA Wire)

CONTROVERSIAL taxi firm Uber has been granted a licence to operate in Aberdeen.

Already operating in Glasgow and Edinburgh, the service is centred around customers using a mobile phone app for bookings.

After no objections, Aberdeen City Council made the decision to allow Uber to expand their network to the city, with an office on Berry Street.

The cashless app-based system has changed the way many people use taxis, with passengers provided with vehicle information and GPS tracking.

But it’s faced criticism over the effect of the new business on traditional taxi operators, and the service is currently appealing a ban from operating in London over safety concerns.

An Uber spokesman said: “We’re really pleased about being granted a licence in Aberdeen. Uber has brought more choice and competition to cities across the UK, helping to raise service levels across the board.

“Passengers tell us they love being able to book a reliable ride at the touch of a button, pay without cash and track their car on their phone.

“Furthermore, tens of thousands of licensed private hire drivers across the country have partnered with us because with Uber they can choose if, when and where they drive.”

As yet, there is no date set for the launch in Aberdeen, where all drivers will have to abide by the city’s licencing conditions.

Councillor John Reynolds, convener of the council’s licencing committee, said: “Drivers will have to go through the street knowledge test, police checks, and the vehicles have to be inspected.

“It will be more secure than the likes of London because there is no real licensing restriction there. The status of private hire and taxis are identical in Aberdeen.”

He admitted, however, that the firm could choose to cut their prices if they desired.

Graeme McColl, chairman of Aberdeen Taxi Group, told the Evening Express that Uber will be treated just like any other private hire firm.

“It’s just an office like anyone else. It’s just another private hire taxi firm, they can’t do what they have done in other cities,” he said.

“The private hire drivers will have to sit a test.

“In some parts of the country you don’t have to sit a test to be a private hire. They can’t come and flood the market like in other cities.”