Uber Applies to Open Services in Fife

Uber Scot Limited has applied for a booking licence to operate within Fife County. The application, which the Fife Council is currently reviewing, was made on 23 January this year. If granted, this office would open Uber transport services from the Rosyth Business Centre. 

Despite the application, the East Fife Taxi Association (EFTA) has raised “serious concerns” about Uber’s bid. 

Spokesperson Linda Holt said: “We have significant concerns about the impact this application could have on local drivers’ livelihoods, passenger safety, regulatory fairness, and the long-term sustainability of the trade.”

EFTA has submitted a formal objection to Uber’s plans, which viewers can sign from the organisation’s website. The deadline for objections was 20 February, and over 600 signatures were collected. 

The Association highlights several concerns in their objection — namely, that Uber does not meet the “fit and proper person” test required under licensing law. The objection raises several concerns: that the named day-to-day manager resides in York; that the corporate control and operational systems are centralised outside Fife; and that the Rosyth premises appear to be a nominal administrative address rather than a genuine operational base. 

EFTA has also criticised Fife Council for what it describes as poor communication with local drivers. In a press release issued on 12 February, Holt said the Council had convened a meeting with operators in Fife to improve communication. However, she said that “many operators are surprised and disappointed” that the Council “did not mention the Uber application, despite it having been lodged on 23 January.” 

Uber has been operating in Edinburgh and Glasgow since 2015, and launched in Aberdeen in October 2024. Though it gained a Dundee licence in June 2024, the service has not been operating there, despite telling online customers that it is available. 

Holt told The Saint that while some people use Uber as a cheaper, more readily available taxi, “experience across the UK shows that this is not true.”

She continued, “At times of high demand, Uber operators surge pricing, which means prices are much higher than the fares of Council-regulated taxis.” She stated that at times of low demand, getting any taxi might be more difficult, adding, “local drivers will be thinner on the ground because many will be driven out of the trade by Uber.” 

Holt also highlighted the risks posed by drivers who cannot be easily traced, particularly for female passengers. She said the safest way to take a taxi in St Andrews is “to book with a locally established company (with a landline number),” and advised lone female passengers to “take a picture of the driver’s taxi badge (which drivers are legally obliged to display).”

Holt also told The Saint that Uber will drive local operators out of business and drain local economies of revenue and spending, stating that “Uber made £31 million gross profit in Scotland last year,” but did not pay UK taxes and transferred all profits to their HQ in California. 

Grzegorz Laska, a local taxi driver with Quick Taxis, told The Saint that he would oppose Uber operating in Fife, citing concerns about the potential loss of jobs among local drivers. He said that “local taxi services rely on regular customers and long-term relationships built on trust and reliability,” which would be undermined by increased competition with Uber. 

He also raised the issue of a lack of passenger familiarity with Uber, pointing out that “local taxi services offer consistency.” Laska added, “Over the years, I have built strong relationships with regular clients who know me personally and are satisfied with the level of service I provide. This personal connection and accountability would be lost.” 

He stated that “for these reasons, I believe that approving this application would have a negative impact on local drivers, businesses, and the wider community.” 

Ross Newton-Taylor, a fourth-year student at the University, noted that the introduction of Uber would be harmful for local taxis. However, “for the students in the town and for the residents, it would be much more convenient.” He stated that he would be likely to opt for Uber if it were available. 

Some students expressed more favour towards local services. Emme Nelson, a fourth-year student, said that even if Uber were available, “ordering a taxi is just as easy here.” She stated that she used Golf City taxis the most, and that she “got to know a few [drivers] well […] it was just very welcoming.” 

Molly Joachim, a first-year student, told The Saint she appreciates that local taxis “feel a little less commercialised.” While she acknowledged it can sometimes be difficult to find a cab on busy days, she said she worries the town is “already being taken over by big names,” and that this addition would only contribute to that trend. 

EFTA issued a press release just four days after lodging its objection to Uber, demanding the resignation of the Licensing Committee convenor of Fife Council for failing to meet the deadline for raising taxi fares. 

EFTA said fares were due to rise on 3 December 2025, but that Fife Council missed the deadline, meaning any increase will now not take effect until the summer. This leaves operators short by more than six months of what they describe as “urgently needed fare income.”

Photo by Alisa Senses