A NEWPORT taxi driver has said app-based service Uber being granted a licence to operate in the city will seriously harm business for drivers already working in the area.

Yesterday the Argus exclusively revealed that Uber had been granted a licence by Newport City Council.

But David Bryant, who works as a driver for Newport firm Dragon Taxis, said he was concerned there was not enough business in the city to support the app-based service.

“I can’t understand why the council has given them permission to come into Newport,” he said. “There are already enough taxi companies in this area.

“It’s hard enough for drivers now and it’s going to get even worse.”

A council spokeswoman said that the number of firms already operating in the city was not one of the factors taken into consideration when granting operator licences.

“As long as they comply with our rules and regulations they will be granted a licence,” she said.

Although the Argus reported yesterday taxi bosses in Newport were not concerned about the news, Mr Bryant said it was the drivers who would be hit.

“It’s the guys on the road, the taxi drivers, who are going to suffer,” he said. “There’s no taxi firms making money at the moment.

“I’m nearly 59 years old and I’m having to work 10 hours a day because fares are so low.

“This should never have happened, not in a million years.”

A date when Uber will officially launch in Newport has not yet been announced.

Journeys are booked and paid for using the smartphone app so no cash changes hands and the passenger can track the vehicle through their phone so they know exactly when they will arrive.

Each passenger has the opportunity to rate their driver between one and five stars after the journey, with ratings shown on the driver’s profile.

Although drivers use their own vehicles and are technically independent contractors rather than employees of the firm, they are required to be licensed in the same way as a regular taxi driver.

An Uber spokeswoman said: “We look forward to offering a safe and affordable ride for people in Newport, especially following our success in Cardiff.

“Uber has already proved popular in the more than 20 towns and cities across the UK and we’re excited to be able to open the app for private hire drivers who are licensed by the Newport City Council.”

First launched in San Francisco in 2011, the service is now available in more than 66 countries and 507 cities worldwide.

Although customers complained of a lack of drivers when the app launched in Cardiff in April this year, the availability has reportedly since improved.