Smartphone taxi firm Uber is coming to Bolton

A 12-month licence has been granted by Bolton Council allowing Uber to operate in the borough — and the firm has told The Bolton News it is excited about the prospect of coming to the town.

However, local private hire companies are unhappy, with one taxi boss predicting that firms could join forces to protest against the council.

In June last year, parts of London were brought to a standstill as black-cab drivers held a mass protest against Uber and the Transport for London authority — claiming that the firm was not being governed by the proper taxi regulations.

A spokesman for the firm said: "Uber is really excited about the prospect of operating in Bolton.

“We believe our innovative service can add value to Bolton's transportation network and help the people of Bolton move about more efficiently.”

The company said it could not give an accurate timescale of when any operation might launch.

But Bolton Council’s licensing and regulation committee has given the green light for plans.

Uber connects passengers directly with drivers through a mobile phone application — instead of using a centralised booking service as is the case with most private hire firms.

The American company, with headquarters in California, has been launching in towns and cities across the world since its formation in 2009 and its service is currently available in 55 different countries.

The app shows users where all the Uber cars are in the local area and customers can hail one by tapping on the car nearest to them. The app also identifies the specific driver and tracks where the car is while a customer waits.

Rather than the traditional cash payment style, Uber journeys are debited directly to a customer’s bank account and are calculated according to how far a passenger travels or how much time a journey takes.

The company has caused upset as critics claim that booking an Uber taxi using the app is similar to hailing a minicab — something that is prohibited in the UK.

Nick Astley, boss of Bolton’s biggest private hire firm Metro, said he did not think the way in which Uber operates was fair to private hire firms or black cabs.

He said: “It is as though they have adopted a hackney carriage approach — but with private hire cars.

“In our case, if we were to take someone to Manchester Airport and quote them £27 at the start of the journey, that is what they would pay.

"But with Uber they would be charged for the time they are in the vehicle, like a black cab.

“I don’t think it’s going to really affect us because I think it is a bit of a novelty that people may try out once.

"But when they realise they could be paying more, I believe they will go back to the private hire firms they were using before.”

Mr Astley said a number of Bolton firms could consider taking action regarding the council's decision to allow Uber to operate in Bolton.

He added: “I think that could happen because I know a lot of people don’t believe that the licensing laws allow private hire cars to operate in that way.”

This notion was backed up by Asif Vali, who chairs Bolton’s Private Hire Operators Association.

He said: “This news won’t be taken well by the association of drivers and I think the council should be paying attention to that.

“About 80 per cent of our members are prepared to take strike action on this matter.”

The prospect of Uber cars on the streets in Bolton gathered a mixed response from shoppers in the town centre.

Ryan Mather, aged 28, from Farnworth, said: “I think it could make life easier and although I don’t use taxis a lot I think my partner would definitely use them.

“I don’t think it should be a problem for the existing firms as it is just a bit of competition, which is good.”

Amy Newham, aged 17, from Westhoughton said: “I use Metro taxis all the time and I find them very reliable — so I don’t think I would switch.

“I can see why some people would think it’s a good idea — but I prefer to speak to someone on the phone when booking a taxi.”

Uber cars are already an established presence on the streets of Manchester and city centre councillor Pat Karney said the firm has "split people down the middle".

He said: "There are some people who love the idea and others who see it as a real threat to jobs.

"It does seem unstoppable in terms of the technology."

Uber – factbox

-Uber passengers connect directly with drivers through a mobile phone app rather than a centralised controld room.

-The app shows users where all cars are in the nearby vicinity and allow them to pick the nearest one by simply clicking on it.

-The application provides details and a photograph of the driver as well as a map charting the progress of the journey.

-No money changes hands on journeys, with payment for journeys debited directly to a customer’s bank account and calculated according to how far a passenger travels or how much time a journey takes.

-The firm was established in the United States in 2009 and currently operates in 55 different countries across the world.