Call for more controls on Uber

TRANSPORT Minister Ken Skates has called for stronger regulations for ride-hailing app Uber in Wales.

Mr Skates told the BBC that he wanted “decent salaries” for everyone involved in taxi and private hire vehicle work.

“I want to make sure that regardless of what sector you are employed in you can rely on a secure environment in which to work, and you rely on a fair wage for your work,” he said.

“Through national standards, through our fair work agenda, I want to make sure that everybody employed as a taxi driver or a private hire vehicle driver is able to do their work in comfort for a decent salary.

“Given high-profile cases in the national media I think it is important that we do strengthen standards to address some of the major concerns.”

The company, which operates in both Cardiff and Newport, has launched an appeal against a ban from operating in London after being refused a new private hire licence by Transport for London.

Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies responded that passengers will be the ones to fall victim.

Mr Davies added that passengers would lose out from a loss of competition brought on by standard fares, and that firms should take heed from those who have embraced so-called “disruptive technology” affecting passenger fares.

“Regulating fares would be extremely damaging for passengers if it restricted competition by standardising fares,” Mr Davies said.

“It seems the Cabinet Secretary has missed the point that disruptive technology is supposed to down passenger fares and revolutionising the way the industry works.

“It’s not just Uber, other firms have adapted too, and we have to accept that the game can no longer be rigged in favour of one group.”