UBER has hit the brakes on driver recruitment in Aberdeen in the face of a court challenge, delaying its launch for months.
The ride-hailing service is already late in getting to the Granite City having earlier eyed an August start date.
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The expectation is now for Uber to launch in Aberdeen in November, though the timeline is fluid and could come in late October or December.
According to local press reports, a number of drivers have already been “onboarded” at the firm’s Aberdeen base at Berry Street.
Meanwhile, rumours suggest that the delay is because of an ongoing legal dispute, with Aberdeen City in the process of defending a statutory appeal over its licensing committee’s decision to grant Uber Scot’s licence in June.
It is not clear what stage this process is at, but it is thought the case is being pursued by just one taxi driver.
An AGCC survey of thousands found more than 90% wanted Uber to be allowed into Aberdeen. Meanwhile, existing taxi drivers have claimed claimed the firm’s surge pricing would “recklessly inflate [fares] well over 50%” at busy times.
Uber was approached for comment but are understood to be avoiding this until legal proceedings have concluded.
