CUSTOMERS in Worcester appear to back an app which allows drivers licensed elsewhere to pick up city fares.

We reported how a city-based businessman, Ausman Shaukat, who runs Drive Taxi App is using the latest technology to plug a gap in the market so people can use the app to book the nearest taxi.

Worcester City Council has said Drive Taxi App and other equivalents are not breaking the law and are responding to degregulation which allows them to sub-contract bookings to drivers licensed outside the city.

Previously, the law required drivers to return to the area in which they were licensed between jobs.

As previously reported one driver, Sakander Zaib, has written a letter on behalf of the licensed taxi drivers of Worcester to the city council, licensing officers and Worcestershire Regulatory Services arguing that city drivers are now facing ‘a massive disadvantage’ because of the rule change.

WJS1950 wrote on the Worcester News website: “The practice of each council issuing its own licenses, which in turn only allows their licensed drivers to pick up fares in their areas only, is antiquated and unfair for customers who are stuck with sky-high fares and shoddy vehicles (as is the case with Worcester).

“The whole industry should be deregulated to allow competition and permit anyone to work in whichever council area they want. Of course, the numbers of taxis still need to be regulated to prevent over-ranking so anyone from, outside Worcester for example, would still need to apply for a permit to pick-up fares in the city but they should be free to charge their own rates and operate on their own free will.”

However, WR5 Resident said: “I disagree. If we have a free for all as you suggest, there will be even more taxis fighting for very limited rank space and Worcester will be more congested than ever.

“Also, Worcester city council sets higher standards for both drivers and vehicles than most other council's, including those in Worcestershire.”

The King of Worcester wrote: "If the current situation continues then it will become financially unviable for us to operate.

"Absolute tosh, always pleading poverty. Worcester is one of the most expenses places in the UK to get a taxi.”

C.J.H described the app as ‘brilliant’ and ‘reliable’ and recommended that those who do not have it download it.

Mikeworcs wrote: “This comes to down to one monopolistic service complaining that the introduction of competition is eroding a dominant position in the marketplace.”

Ausman Shaukat, director of Drive Taxi App Ltd, previously said all the drivers he uses live in Worcester and the majority (20 of 29 at the moment) are also licensed in the city.