Cardiff drivers say they are struggling to make a living because Uber drivers from outside of the city is taking their trade. They are calling on Cardiff Council to take action against drivers from Newport, Barry and Bridgend. But Cardiff Council says the matter is out of their hand.
At St Mary street taxi rank Shakeel Ahmad is worried about his declining business.
The fact they have let every man and his dog into the city, like Newport, the Valleys and Bridgend. Are we allowed to go there and work in their cities or town? No, the answer is no. So, what they are doing here.
Cardiff taxi drivers say they are now waiting hours in taxi stands, before getting their first passenger. They say their takings have gone down and they are earning less than five pounds an hour.
At another rank nearby, another taxi driver Fulori Miah is waiting for his first passenger.
I have been driving taxis nearly 27 years now. And since covid Uber has come into Cardiff and taking our trade. Sometimes we have to wait for three hours for the job, like now I have been here in this rank for 45 minutes. I don’t know what time I’ll get a job.
Taxi drivers say Newport or Bridgend uber drivers should operate in their own areas. And they want Cardiff Council to investigate. The council says it’s aware of the issue but says it’s a matter for the Welsh Government. The Government held a consultation about taxis rules and regulations last year, but they’ve not yet responded to a request for comment.