Uber UK General Manager pays tribute to drivers delivering service and reveals he too holds a TfL PHV licence
Uber’s UK General Manager has praised the crucial role private hire drivers played in supporting the public transport network across the country in 2024, revealing he too is in fact a licensed driver on the platform.
Speaking on the broader industry, Andrew Brem highlighted the skill and resilience required to excel in the sector, noting that drivers are often the first point of contact for passengers navigating daily life.
Drivers, he said, are an integral part of the transport ecosystem, facilitating journeys at all hours and under varied conditions. Brem, who holds a Transport for London (TfL) private hire vehicle licence and has personally driven passengers, acknowledged the challenges drivers face.
Brem said: “I know first hand that being a PHV driver is actually a highly skilled occupation and you have to deal with real people and sometimes real problems. I am a TfL registered driver in London and I’ve been out on the road many times to learn what it’s like. I applaud all drivers as it’s not an easy job. You have to be really great at dealing with all sorts of people and providing a first class service.”
His remarks come alongside news of a significant milestone for the ride-hailing giant during 2024 where Uber secured over 20 new operating licences from local authorities across the UK. These represent the first such approvals the company has received in several years.
Brem said: “From an Uber perspective, I’m delighted to have secured over 20 new licences from local authorities up and down the country, the first new licences that we’ve applied for and been awarded in the UK for many years.
“We’ve had to meet a high regulatory bar set out by these local councils, which is absolutely the way things should be. Regulations such as these are a good thing for our industry as they keep raising the bar for drivers and passengers. We support regulations that are well thought through, consistently enforced, and improve standards.”
