UBER has arrived in Renfrewshire after successfully being granted a booking office licence by the council.

More drivers based in the area and licensed by Renfrewshire Council can now drive on the Uber platform.

The company claims that it brings a convenient and affordable transport option to the area – however it also comes with its controversies.

Uber in Scotland is completely cashless – users book and pay for a private hire car ride directly through a smartphone app.

Once confirmed, the rider can see the driver’s photo, name and car registration and can watch their car arrive in real-time on the app.

However, the price of an Uber vehicle cannot be guaranteed, especially at peak times when they will operate surge pricing.

Uber has also been criticised for not complying with the rules set out by the Civic Government Act 1982 and their booking office licence(s).

It can also be bad news for drivers as Uber takes 25 per cent of all their earnings.

Renfrewshire Cab Co. general manager Brian Cherry said: “We are aware of Uber being granted a booking office licence in Renfrewshire.

“We hope that the public can understand a few main points that we have observed since they launched in the UK.”

Despite its criticisms from private hire companies, Councillor Audrey Doig, SNP for Houston, Crosslee and Linwood believes that Uber could benefit the area.

She said: “I believe that it might be a solution to the problem we have in this area on a Friday and Saturday night where a lot people have a long time to get a taxi.”

Some taxi companies however don’t believe that Uber will take off in Renfrewshire.

Paisley Taxis owner Craig Alan said: “Uber will have more of an impact on the private hire trade – they will be looking for their drivers and their business.

“Paisley Taxis however work in ranks and have a lot of contract work so I don’t envision it impacting us too much.

Debbie Anderson, general manager at Johnstone TOA, added: “Johnstone TOA and its predecessors has been serving the Renfrewshire area ​for over 40 years. In this time we have faced and will continue to face competition from other transport providers.”

A spokesman for Uber said: “In other areas where Uber has launched we see people getting their private hire licence so they can sign up to Uber and make money driving.

“However, when Uber starts in a new city there are certainly drivers from existing companies that want to switch to Uber.

“This is because drivers that choose to partner with Uber become their own bosses and choose when and where they drive. Uber does not set hours or shifts, if a driver doesn’t want to drive, they don’t have to.”