Uber agreement is better news for women needing late-night rides into Fulham

By Noah Vickers, Local Democracy Reporter

Uber drivers are to receive an exemption from fines when they drop off passengers in a ‘clean air’ zone set up to exclude non-residential use of certain roads.

That is because women have been struggling to find cab drivers willing to drop them off late at night back in the designated zone in Fulham for fear of being slapped with fines.

The scheme, set up by Hammersmith and Fulham council, aims to reduce pollution and congestion, some of which was being caused by out-of-borough drivers using residential streets as shortcuts.

Under the scheme, residents with cars registered in the borough, their guests, black cabs, carers, business visitors and others with exemptions can go through the scheme’s cameras covering the area without receiving a penalty charge.

But private hire drivers, such as Uber and Bolt, had been refusing to leave people at their door late at night for fear of getting a fine, despite being exempt from the scheme.

The problem was said to have arisen due to “data protection issues” which were preventing Uber from sharing the number plates of their drivers.

But it was announced at a meeting of the council’s cabinet on Monday that the issue had finally been resolved, as Uber has now signed an agreement with the borough.

It is thought that with Uber having now agreed to the solution, other ride-hailing apps will follow suit.

Pictured top: Clean Air Zone streets (Picture: LDRS)