Portsmouth private hire firm to avoid Wolverhampton-licensed drivers
A new private hire vehicle operator is set to launch in Portsmouth and will not use Wolverhampton-licensed drivers.
The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth has welcomed the launch of Quick Hop, a local private hire vehicle company promising a “better deal” for drivers and customers.
Buckland Community Centre hosted a launch event today for Quick Hop, a private hire vehicle company that allows customers to pre-book rides, similar to Uber or Veezu.
Local councillors and residents have raised concerns over Wolverhampton-licensed PHV drivers operating in Portsmouth, with some arguing that Portsmouth-licensed vehicles have higher safety standards.
A Quick Hop spokesperson ensured that all drivers with the company will be licensed under Portsmouth City Council, addressing concerns about the use by other taxi companies in the area of drivers and cars licenced in Wolverhampton where the rules and checks are not as stringent.
The local company aims to tackle challenges drivers face in the trade and to provide a better service for the community.
Marketing director Mohammed Nurul Haque said one of the biggest challenges drivers face is ride commission, which can be as high as 50 per cent with some operators.
That, along with access and booking fees, leaves less money in drivers’ pockets.
He added that in Portsmouth “we don’t have any local community based companies”, as larger PHV operators don’t “understand the market, drivers and customers”.
With Quick Hop, drivers pay 15 per cent commission, there are no hidden costs or fees, and it allows for “full driver freedom”.
Fares will not be fixed or determined by an algorithm but will be metered “fairly”.
He said the company’s vision is to be “Portsmouth’s preferred driver” and to give customers a “very smooth and nice experience”.
Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, said it’s “great” to see more competition in the PHV trade.
He said that “if this works” it will put more money in the pocket of local drivers and provide a “better service and lower fared for local residents”.
“That beings a great benefit and it’s great that there’s a local company in the market”.
Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr Abdul Kadir, welcomed the scheme for creating jobs for local people while tackling the “unfair competition our taxi drivers face”.
The Quick Hop app, which is available to download now has more than 70 drivers already recruited.