Page 40 - drive a2b dec 2019 web

NEWS

FROM

around the world

WEST LOTHIAN - Scotland USA - Uber audio

[by Michael Murphy - Taxipoint - www.taxi-point.co.uk]
Regular users of Uber in the US will
soon see an option to record the audio
West Lothian taxi and PHV table as members discussed for each trip taken. It's a feature Uber
drivers may have to undergo introducing tests to confirm is introducing in a bid to offer better
drug testing as part of licensing new private hire driver security for both drivers and riders.
conditions applicants who have previously
been convicted for using drugs As The Washington Post reports,
Taxi and private hire drivers in are no longer using. Uber is classing audio recordings as
West Lothian could be forced a security feature and intends to pilot
to undergo drug testing, after Members expressed the it in Latin American cities starting in
a report highlighted at the desire to be able to send some December followed by tests in the US
latest licensing committee applicants for drug testing "soon." It will be an opt-in feature for
meeting revealed a number of before a new licence is granted. drivers and riders who can agree to
complaints from the public.
West Lothian’s Managing recordings per trip or for all trips.
A wide-ranging report was Solicitor for Licensing said: “If An Uber executive explained in an
ordered by West Lothian the council introduced such email, "When the trip ends, the user
Council late last year, seven a policy there would need to will be asked if everything is okay and
years after the last time taxi be a change to the hire car be able to report a safety incident
and private hire rules had been conditions to provide for that. and submit the audio recording to
looked at.
“It is recommended that Uber with a few taps ... The encrypted
The report said: 'Over the last consultation be undertaken audio file is sent to Uber's customer
few months the licensing team regarding the introduction of a support agents who will use it to better
have received a number of drug testing policy for hire car understand an incident and take the
complaints from members of drivers.” appropriate action."
the public and others within Other tech companies have come
the hire car trade alleging that Any changes to taxi and under fire recently for the audio
drivers are using drugs.' private hire rules would have
to be agreed to by the council’s recordings they keep and the privacy
The issue was brought to the executive. problems that creates. However, Uber

40 DRIVE A2B magazine · December 2019 / January 2020