LICENSED taxi drivers have reiterated their opposition to Uber operating in Essex.

The taxi app, which allows anyone registered with them to book a taxi from their chosen location, hasn’t been officially launched in the county, but cars can still be pre-booked through the app.

In response to the Echo’s original article, which stated that licensed taxi drivers wanted Uber to stay out of Southend, the taxi trade in Southend, Rochford and Castle Point have issued a joint statement, outlining their concerns. Their concerns over Uber operating in their areas relates to the safety of the public, which they believe is at risk.

The statement given to the Echo by Stephen Noakes, general manager at AC Radio Cabs based in Chase Road, Southend, on behalf of taxi firms in he borough, said: “We have great concerns as to how Uber carry out their driver criminal record checks.”

However, Uber have said that all drivers that use the Uber app are licensed private hire drivers who have passed an enhanced DSB background check, the same one black taxi drivers have to pass.

The statement was provided on behalf of taxi firms including AC Radio Cabs, Andrews Taxis, Triple 3 Triple 4, Bestax Rayleigh, RT Rayleigh, Southend Radio Cars, Southend Associated Cars, ABC Castle Point, Unite Representative LE/92, Southend Taxi Drivers’ Association and AC Taxis Drivers’ Association.

Concerns were also raised over the cost of fares. They added: “Uber can charge whatever they like and they use this to their advantage by introducing a surcharge. To be fair and balanced in normal conditions Uber’s pricing structure is very similar to that of a Southend regulated taxi. “However, as soon as demand is high Uber activate their policy of surging where they put the prices up at any time without notice and this can be extremely misleading to the public.”

Another concern is that vehicles might not be up to standard. The statement said: “As Uber is not licensed by our local council the traditional enforcement officers from the Hackney carriage office, who work tirelessly at all hours spot checking that the licensed drivers and vehicles are safe, clean and road worthy, have no powers over the Uber drivers.”

A Southend Council spokesman, said: “We do not have any licensed Uber drivers within Southend. Our understanding is that any Uber drivers operating within Southend are licensed with Transport for London.”