Across the UK, private hire drivers are once again preparing to take collective action. On Monday, 12 January 2026, many drivers plan to log off the Uber app between 7 am and 2 pm in protest at falling earnings, rising costs, and a lack of meaningful support. This latest strike highlights long-standing issues with app-based ride-hailing and helps explain why many passengers in Aberdeen are increasingly choosing local taxi services instead of Uber Aberdeen.
Why Uber Drivers Are Striking
Drivers working through Uber argue that their pay no longer reflects the real cost of doing the job. While passenger fares can rise sharply at busy times, the share drivers receive has failed to keep pace with inflation and day-to-day operating expenses.
Key concerns include:
- Outdated fare rates that do not reflect fuel prices, insurance, licensing, and vehicle maintenance
- Algorithm-controlled pay, with little transparency over how fares are calculated
- Income instability, where earnings fluctuate significantly from day to day
- Limited representation, leaving drivers with few ways to challenge decisions or negotiate improvements
These pressures have led to repeated strike calls, yet many drivers feel that genuine change remains unlikely within the platform model.
Passenger Drawbacks of using Uber in Aberdeen
For passengers, the issues are becoming increasingly visible. Common concerns include:
- Surge pricing, where fares rise dramatically during peak periods, bad weather, or driver shortages
- Unreliable availability, particularly outside the city centre or late at night
- Remote customer support is often slow to resolve cancellations, complaints, or lost property
- Inconsistent local knowledge, caused by high driver turnover
In a city like Aberdeen, where weather conditions and traffic disruption are common, these weaknesses can significantly affect journey reliability.
Why Local Aberdeen Taxis Deliver a Better Service
Local taxi operators work to a very different model. Rather than relying on automated systems and remote decision-making, Aberdeen taxi firms are rooted in the city and accountable to the people who use them.
Passenger benefits include:
- Fixed or clearly quoted fares, with no surge pricing
- Consistent availability across Aberdeen and the surrounding areas
- Experienced local drivers with strong knowledge of routes, traffic patterns, and weather conditions
- Direct customer support, with real people who can resolve issues quickly
Driver benefits include:
- More predictable earnings
- Clear and transparent fare structures
- Ongoing working relationships with local operators and dispatch teams
- Less pressure from constantly changing algorithms
This balance creates a more reliable and professional service for both passengers and drivers.
Uber Aberdeen vs Local Aberdeen Taxis
| Feature | Uber | Local Aberdeen Taxis |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Variable and surge-based | Fixed and transparent |
| Driver support | App-based and remote | Local and direct |
| Coverage | City-centre focused | City and surrounding areas |
| Accountability | Centralised | Local and regulated |
| Community impact | Profits leave the area | Money stays local |
Why Aberdeen Passengers Are Choosing Local
As awareness grows around the realities of gig economy transport, more passengers are making informed choices. Supporting local taxis means:
- Greater reliability in all weather conditions
- Fairer treatment of drivers
- A stronger local economy
- Clearer pricing and accountability
Local taxis are not simply an alternative to Uber. They represent a more sustainable transport model for Aberdeen.
The Future of Taxi Travel in Aberdeen
The planned Uber driver strike highlights broader problems with app-based ride-hailing platforms. In Aberdeen, the alternative is already well established. Local taxi services provide dependable transport built on fairness, experience, and accountability.
By choosing a local taxi firm like Aberdeen taxis, passengers support drivers, strengthen the local economy, and enjoy a service designed to work reliably for the city in the long term.
