Private hire powerhouse Veezu is making moves to expand into York, with a fresh application for an operator’s licence under consideration by the City of York Council.
The Cardiff-headquartered firm, which already commands a UK-wide network of over 16,000 drivers, has its sights set on the historic city as part of its ongoing growth strategy. The company is currently in the process of acquiring Drive Private Hire Ltd, a local operator based on Layerthorpe.
According to a council report, Veezu’s application proposes a fleet of over 90 vehicles that could be deployed within York. The report also notes the company’s strong regional presence, highlighting that Veezu already holds 115 private hire operator licences in surrounding areas such as Leeds and Hull.
The decision on whether to approve the application lies with the council’s licensing and regulatory sub-committee, which is set to meet on Monday, 28 April.
A central issue for the committee will be determining whether Veezu meets the legal standard of being “a fit and proper person” to hold the licence. The report underlines the importance of this judgement, noting that passengers entrust private hire drivers with sensitive personal information when booking journeys.
Founded in 2013, Veezu has grown rapidly through a series of acquisitions, including the notable purchase of Premier Cars in Leeds. The company describes itself as “Britain’s fastest growing private hire company,” a claim supported by its recent performance figures.
In 2023, Veezu reported that it had surpassed £1 million in passenger fares in a single day for the first time. Additionally, its mobile booking app has now been downloaded over one million times, reflecting the firm’s considerable digital footprint and customer reach.
If the application is approved, York could soon become the latest city to see Veezu-branded cars joining the ranks of local private hire providers.
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