AFTER an unanticipated and phenomenal response to the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce’s latest survey (which closed in less than 48 hours due to number of responses), the people of the North-east have shown their “clear desire” for Uber to operate in the city.
Nearly 2,400 people filled out the survey, with 93% saying they would welcome the taxi giant to the Granite City.
And 74% of respondents said Uber’s arrival in the city would encourage them to venture out into Aberdeen more than they currently do.
AGCC exclusively revealed on Tuesday that, should the firm be awarded a license in June, it could be operational in the city by the end of August.
And the latest survey from AGCC shows that public support is comprehensively in of welcoming Uber to the North-east.
A welcome boost
Aberdeen City Council’s (ACC) Licensing Committee is due to meet in June when it will decide whether to award Uber a licence for the city or not.
AGCC Chief Executive Russell Borthwick says the results of the survey show “a strong indication that a lack of taxis at peak times is costing our economy”.
“There is a clear desire among those polled to see Uber operating here,” he said.
“Almost three quarters of respondents to this survey said that Uber’s presence would encourage them to go out in Aberdeen city more than they currently do.
“If this can be achieved, it would bring a huge boost to our food, drink and hospitality sector, and deliver much-needed footfall to our city centre.”
More than four in five (84%) people said the lack of taxi provision in the city centre leads them to be concerned about how they’ll get home following a night out.
More than two thirds (68%) said the lack of taxi provision causes them to cut their night out short.
Meanwhile, 91% of respondents said they are likely or extremely likely to use Uber if it comes to Aberdeen.
Mr Borthwick added that, regardless of the outcome of the ACC Licensing Committee they, along with key stakeholders, must “find ways to improve taxi provision”.
He continued: “We will be sharing the results with Aberdeen City Council and we hope that the licensing committee will give these results due consideration when deciding whether or not to grant Uber a licence to operate in the region.”
The Chamber’s survey showed that people across Aberdeen also feel as if taxi provision is lacking.
A third of respondents (66%) said they struggle to get a taxi when they would like them, while 31% said that taxi rank queues are too long.
Around a quarter of people (24%) also said that even if they book a taxi, it’s often late or cancelled.
