Uber plans August launch after license approval from Aberdeen City Council

Aberdeen Council has approved Uber’s application to become a licensed private hire operator in Aberdeen, becoming the third Scottish city after Glasgow and Edinburgh to approve the ride-hailing giant.

Uber had initially received permission to launch in Aberdeen in 2018 but later relinquished its license when it focused growth on the Local Cab service.

But after Local Cab was discontinued last December, Uber reapplied for a license in Aberdeen earlier this year. The city council’s licensing committee heard both support and objections before approving the application at a meeting on Wednesday, June 5.

Ahead of the committee meeting, 485 letters of support and 23 objections were submitted, with an additional three objections arriving after the deadline.

According to a Chamber of Commerce survey, 93% of the public in the city support the licence being granted.

During a two-hour discussion, Uber representatives addressed questions about the service’s operations, fares, and passenger safety. Despite opposition from existing taxi firms, the license was granted.

Adrian Watson, chief executive of business improvement body Aberdeen Inspired, said his organisation had “brought Uber to the city due to significant issues with the current taxi service”, particularly during late nights at weekends. According to local reports the number of taxi drivers in the city has dropped from more than 800 before the pandemic to around 600. Watson highlighted safety concerns and economic impacts reported by local businesses, partners, and the public, who cited a severe lack of taxis, especially at night.

Watson added that the presence of Uber would address the shortage of taxis, alleviate lengthy queues at taxi stands, and improve the city’s reputation by ensuring visitors can get to their destinations, including transport hubs, without difficulty.

Uber is aiming to recruit between 40 and 50 drivers for the Aberdeen area, though it is uncertain how many will be new recruits or existing private hire drivers.

Matthew Freckelton, Uber’s UK Head of Cities, told the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce that he hoped Uber would be up and running in the city by August. Uber is also looking to launch in Dundee this year, Freckleton added.