Page 32 - drive a2b june 2020 website

OVERSEAS
news

Unite the

Union accuses

taxi app Gett
of “greed” and

“profiteering”

after raising

driver fees

by Perry Richardson
taxi-point.co.uk was no suggestion that the increase increasingly vital for many taxi drivers
was temporary or for a limited in order to try to scrape together a
period should work levels return. living.”
Gett announced last month that it “Unite has called on the government
will increase the commission it takes According to Gett sources, the to provide specific help and
when a customer books a journey taxi app has made cuts in every assistance for taxi drivers but those
through the app from 15% to 20%, department with all staff taking a calls have so far been ignored.”
which equates to a 33% increase. 15% pay cut and the global CEO
The increased charge will come into cutting his pay to zero. A Gett spokesperson responded to
effect from Monday 8 June. Unite national officer for passenger Unite's statement, saying: “We know
transport, Bobby Morton, said: “Gett that times are tough for Black Cab
Taxi driver representatives, Unite is being greedy, at a time when our drivers right now which is why we're
the Union, say the increase in taxi driver members have seen their working round the clock to get work
commission charges comes at a time incomes evaporate overnight. This back for cabbies in London”.
when the UK’s 82,000 taxi drivers increase is just another kick in the
have seen their incomes collapse as teeth”. “The change to commission will
a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. allow us to continue investing
With customers unlikely to be hailing “This is a classic case of profiteering millions of pounds every year in our
cabs from the street or risk queuing in the pandemic. If this was a app, our corporate account sales
at taxi ranks, drivers are increasingly genuine short-term measure as a teams and our 24/7/365 contact
reliant on apps such as Gett to result of COVID-19, the company centre. In fact, every penny will
generate work. would have said that and provided be reinvested into enhancing and
a commitment to when commission maintaining our service.”
In the announcement to drivers last
month, Gett claimed the increase in rates will be reduced.” “We believe we remain the best
commission was due to a decrease in “Due to the need to socially distance option for Black Cab drivers in
demand as a result of the COVID-19 and the effect that COVID-19 has had London who are looking for extra
pandemic. Unite the Union has on individual behaviour, bookings cash in their pockets at the end of
however been critical, saying there through apps such as Gett are the day.”
32 DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · June 2020