Uber taxis among several held over permits

FOLLOWING a surge of complaints about sedan taxis that do not have operating licences, the City’s traffic department impounded a number of vehicles, including Uber taxis at the weekend.

Spokesperson for traffic services, Richard Coleman, said sedan taxis operating without permits were targeted, but during the operation, several Uber taxis were also impounded.

“We searched taxis operating in the CBD area on Wednesday and Saturday night,” he said.

“The complaints we receive are not only from the public, but from taxi owners who have legal permits. These operators are up in arms about the illegal taxi operators.”

Samantha Allenberg, Uber spokesperson, confirmed there were a handful of impoundments this weekend, but said Uber did not employ any drivers and did not own any vehicles.

“Uber is the lead generation software (technology) that connects riders to drivers in the area. We have been engaging positively with the city and province,” she said.

She added that Uber’s partner drivers applied for operating licences, not Uber, as it is just the technology.

“The City of Cape Town has already supported a number of our partner drivers’ applications for operating licences. We are now awaiting an outcome from the Provincial Regulatory Entity, and expect a positive outcome next week on the issuing of these operating licences.

According to Allenberg, all Uber partners have to have a professional driving permit, commercial and public liability insurance, roadworthy certificate, and have to undergo a further Automated Fingerprint Identification System criminal background check before they are allowed to work on the Uber platform.

“These impoundments are taking safe and reliable drivers off the roads. The drivers’ ability to provide for their families and grow small businesses is limited without this operating licence.”