Cab My Ride licenses reinstated after Southampton appeal upheld

Mark Bursa

South coast private hire operator Cab My Ride has had its license reinstated by West Hampshire Magistrates Court after it successfully appealed a ruling from Southampton Council that it was not “fit and proper”.

The council revoked Cab My Ride’s license earlier in the year after a number of issues were raised. These included wheelchair users being overcharged, children being driven to and from school in an unlicensed and damaged vehicle and questions about the conduct of a former director, who resigned in 2020.

But the company claimed the decision was based on “factual inaccuracies” in a report about the company, and Southampton City Council opted not to oppose the appeal.

“Effective immediately, we will retain our three operator licenses in Southampton: Cab My Ride, Aryvo, and Bitterne Cars,” the company said in a statement.

The company had continued to operate on licenses issued by neighbouring authorities Eastleigh Borough Council and New Forest District Council.

Director Arjan Sahota (pictured) said: “This year has been paralysing and has presented unprecedented challenges, that have tested our resilience and determination."

"We have attempted to use the evidence we have gathered to make positive changes, working closely with the licensing department to highlight broader failures within the Southampton taxi industry.”

He continued: “We must now work to repair the significant damage this chain of events has caused. Moving forward, the company is committed strengthening its service offerings. Aryvo aims to be the trusted transportation partner Southampton deserves.”

Cab My Ride has been acquisitive in recent times, buying two other local operators in 2022 and building a fleet of around 300 cars.

In January 2022 it bought Hampshire operator Bitterne Cars, and in October 2022 it bought 70-car operator Millers Taxi, which operates in the Eastleigh, Fareham and Winchester area.

The recently launched Aryvo brand relates to an app that the company has developed, and is heavily promoted across the company’s various websites.