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Leeds Live
Leeds Live
National
Megan Banner & Samuel Port

Leeds people 'switching to Uber' after 24-hour taxi strike as passengers say they'll 'never go back'

Taxi users across Leeds have pledged to use Uber in future after cabbies go on a 24 hour strike across the city.

Leeds Private Hire Driver Organisation (LPHDO) organised a 24 hour strike starting from 6am on January 17 to 6am on January 18 with cabbies protesting against the council's Suitability and Convictions Policy, which has been in place since February 2020.

Some regular taxi users have claimed LPHDO's one day of striking have lost them a "lifetime" of custom after realising how efficient and easy Uber were in comparison.

To get the latest email updates from LeedsLive, click here.

Some users took the discussion to Facebook community group, Leedsplace.

Liam James said: "I've learnt one thing Uber is fast, efficient and easy to use with polite drivers.

"15 years of using the same company, well this has swayed me. One day of striking for a lifetime loss of custom."

Karen Naylor added: "I was reluctant to use Uber after hearing bad things but they are brilliant, reliable, spotlessly clean and polite drivers."

Delyth Moyles agreed: "Always use Uber. Never had an issue except from one boy racer who was " told" and got a low rating."

Frank Charles said: "Uber is great. You know where they are and when they arrive. I’ll never go back."

Mark Fletcher added: "I have started to use Uber, as been let down by local taxis. Plus local ones don't run after 10pm."

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However some regular users have seen a difference in the rise in use of Uber during the taxi strike - the higher the demand means the surge price will rise, people who use the service daily have seen their fairs double or even triple in peak times.

Mark Gregson said: "Quoted the daughter £36 for a £7 trip yesterday morning."

Samantha Wilson added: "Uber was a rip off today £17 to get home that normally cost 4-5 joke cashing in on the strike."

Dave Hammill said: "The only thing is the surge charge my mate got charged 8 pound one way and 18 back, bit of a rip off if you ask me."

Kayti Oddy agreed: "My taxi is usually £10-11 from st james to Armley, this morning Uber were saying £30."

To get the latest email updates from LeedsLive, click here.

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