Uber 'will negatively impact business' says Ipswich driver

Ali has been driving Hackney Cabs within Ipswich for the past five years and said he was annoyed when he heard Ipswich Borough Council had approved Uber's licence to operate here.

He began carrying a ledger and got customers to comment about their feelings on Uber. 

"You can see almost everyone has not liked that Uber is coming to Ipswich because of their impact on local businesses," he added. 

Going into the general election, Mr Ali said he would like to see a candidate who vows to protect the local groups from global companies like Uber.

Ali, left, would like to see an MP that supports local drivers from multi-national businesses like Uber (Image: Shikhar Talwar)

Mr Ali said: "These local companies are currently asleep at the wheel, and they are all going to come to an end soon because of Uber."

He believes it is "unfair" that Uber has been given licences to employ over 100 drivers.

"If you give them half that then at least it would be a level playing field, but with so many Uber would easily take over the market," he said. 

His second concern was that Uber drivers from outside Ipswich could come to town during peak times, such as for football matches, the Suffolk Show and Music in the Park, taking business away from local drivers.

Drivers are afraid that taxi's from outside Ipswich could come into town during the peak hours with the help of Uber (Image: NQ Archive)

Mr Ali is also concerned about how this would impact his customers. 

Many of those who responded to him in his ledger said that surge and peak-hour pricing with Uber can make rides with them quite expensive, as trips that would cost £10 could cost £50 if an event is on.

He said: "In other words, you pay more when you desperately need an Uber whereas no private hire company would do that due to the strict conditions and rules of the council that don't apply to Uber."

Those who responded to Ali said they are afraid that Uber's pricing may be too expensive (Image: PA)

Mr Ali says he is now reliant on the connection him and his fellow drivers have with the existing customer base to continue supporting them when Uber begins operating in town. 

Ipswich Borough Councillor John Cook said the council could not discriminate against Uber in their application.

Ipswich councillor John Cook said that while he understands some drivers would not like Uber coming to Ipswich, there is nothing the council can legally do (Image: Ipswich Labour Party)

He said: "Ipswich Borough Council aims to maintain a good relationship with the Hackney carriage and private hire drivers in the town.

"I understand why some drivers will be concerned about Uber applying for a licence to operate in the private hire trade in the Borough.

"As the licensing authority we operate under national legislation and treat all applicants equally under the law. It is not our role - nor lawful - for the Council to discriminate in favour or against any particular applicant."

The app-based operator said they are pleased to be granted the licence and hope to boost opportunities for drivers in the town. 

Lloyds Avenue is another point of concern for Ipswich taxi drivers (Image: Shikhar Talwar)

However, Uber is not the only thing that drivers in Ipswich currently fear according to Mr Ali, the council is currently in discussion about pedestrianising Lloyd's Avenue. 

The avenue is a hilly area, where taxis can drive down to the flat ground when they see someone who is not able to get up the hill. 

Mr Ali said: "Plans are to half this space, meaning we can't drive down to the vulnerable and disabled people at the bottom of the hill."

The council is still discussing this and has not finalised any decision on Lloyds Avenue yet. 

In both these cases, Mr Ali pleads for people to speak out and support local drivers and companies.