ANGRY taxi drivers have blamed a new phone app for a drop in standards and trade.

Drivers say the app has brought an influx of private hire cars into the city.

They claim the new arrivals are from areas outside of the city, where it is cheaper and easier to get a licence.

A representative for local drivers says this 'cross-bordering' is harming trade and lowering standards.

However, the men behind the app have defended their business saying all their drivers are local, they have gleaned positive reviews from the public, and cross-bordering took place before the app.

Drivers claim the phenomenon started in December after the launch of the Worcester-based My Taxi App.

The mobile phone application is similar to Uber and can be used to book, track and pay for a taxi.

However, the men behind the app have defended their business saying all their drivers are local, they have gleaned positive reviews from the public, and cross-bordering took place before the app.

Lesley Borthwick, of Worcester Taxi Drivers Association, said: "It isn't illegal but it is making our standards lower.

"We pay a certain fee, such as £400 for a plate, but I could go buy a vehicle in Droitwich and work in Worcester and pay £200 for a plate.

"They also don't have local knowledge, they rely on SatNavs. It is taking business from drivers in the city."

Licensing rules in Worcester mean new taxis must be fully wheelchair accessible, under three-years-old and tested twice a year.

One taxi driver, who has worked in Worcester for 12 years, claims to have seen them using the app at night when it visible in their windscreen phones holders.

“It’s called electronic hailing. It’s happening up and down the country. The business model is like Uber," he said.

“They [the cars] are substandard for Worcester, which has a higher criteria for passing.

“The vehicles can be 10-years-old whereas in Worcester it’s much less. They are being cheeky and undermining our standards.

“They [drivers] have untested knowledge of these locations. They can get on the road faster and cheaper.”

He added that the cars will increase congestion in the city by driving around looking for fares.

He also said that the cars could not be spot checked by the council as they are from outside.

Sarfaraz Yousaf, co-founder of My Taxi App, says cross-bordering is in line with local and national regulations, and existed before the app - with school contracts and corporate accounts.

He claims all of their drivers were either born, raised or live in the city and as such have local knowledge.

Mr Yousaf added that licensing costs are out of their control and that they are open to working with licensed Worcester drivers.

He says that no information suggests an increase in congestion and believes local authorities hold spot checks for all licensed vehicles.

"Any vehicles and drivers who work with us are increasing the standards of trade, reducing waiting times and - as qualified by our numerous positive reviews on social media and online - re-installing confidence and trust in the public," he said.

The business has six private hire cars, with vehicles licensed under district councils in Worcester, Wychavon and Malvern Hills.

Worcester City Council say the app is legal and declined to comment further.