UBER has had its York licence extended, despite an increase in the number of recorded complaints against drivers.

At a meeting on Wednesday, City of York Council refused Uber the standard five-year extension, but granted a 12-month licence to “allow the authority to consider if the applicant is fit and proper”.

More than 20 private hire and Hackney carriage drivers from York attended the meeting, with ten speakers raising complaints about the action of Uber drivers, which they claim has seen them picking up customers illegally, overcharging and not complying with the council-set regulations around emissions and vehicle standards.

Uber operates as a taxi alternative, allowing people to book the nearest available vehicle on their smartphone.

Cllr Sonja Crisp told a meeting of the staffing matters and urgency committee that they had an opportunity to “minimise public risk” by either refusing the extension or imposing conditions on the operation. She said: “Just rolling over isn’t good enough; this is a public safety timebomb ticking away.”

Although the company was granted a licence last December, it has been operational only since September. The meeting heard there had since been 72 complaints to the council against Uber vehicles and drivers. While many were ruled unfounded or dropped through lack of evidence, the council felt the high number meant a closer eye should be kept on the operation in coming months.

Driver Alan Rowley said the council had created a “very unlevel playing field” with demands on local drivers that out-of-town drivers did not have to adhere to, which could leave the council open to legal action by more than 700 local operators.

Neil McGonigle, general manager at Uber, told the meeting public safety was a priority, all drivers were properly licensed and all journeys were logged. He said 11,000 people had used Uber in York since it launched.

York Press:

After the meeting, Mr McGonigle said: “Our licence renewal just shows how valuable the app has become to both riders and drivers in the city. We’re looking forward to continuing our operations in York and providing more opportunity and choice for local private hire drivers and riders alike.”

In a joint statement, Saf Din, chair of the York Hackney Carriage Association, Terry Osborne, treasurer of the Private Hire Association, and Bill Chard from GMB, said the decision was a partial victory for local companies, and they would continue to monitor the company, and assist the council where possible.

Mr Din said: “The campaign by drivers will continue and we will continue to monitor what Uber are doing. The fact they have only got ten registered vehicles in the city means until they get a significant number registered in the city these cars from from other authorities with lower standards.”

All agencies encouraged anyone using a taxi in the city to report any complaints or concerns over the actions of drivers or quality of vehicles to the council.

The urgency committee dealt with the application instead of the licensing committee due to the late submission by Uber, which the firm said was due to confusion over paperwork and staff holiday.