Uber Expands Reach with London's Iconic Black Cabs, Available Soon on the App

Uber has notched up another victory in its ongoing competition with the taxi industry. The iconic black cabs of London will soon be available for ride-hailing through the Uber app.

Collaborating with London's Black Cabs

Uber unveiled a fresh collaboration with London's black cab taxis, allowing cab drivers to enroll for Uber trip referrals. Meanwhile, riders can now use the Uber app to request a ride specifically in one of the traditional hackney carriages, complete with an upfront price estimate.

Although the service won't be fully operational until early 2024, TechCrunch reported that London taxi drivers can already register for Uber trip referrals. Some drivers have expressed interest in being featured on the platform.

Uber has been actively forming partnerships with taxi fleet owners, extending its reach beyond private ride-hailing. Recent agreements in cities like Los Angeles, New York City, Paris, and Rome have enabled traditional taxi drivers to join the Uber app. In Europe and the Middle East, taxi drivers now account for over 10% of Uber trips.

Andrew Brem, Uber UK's general manager, expressed pride in the collaboration, stating that Black Cabs are an iconic part of the capital, loved by Londoners and visitors alike, and they are proud to work side by side.

Facing Challenges

Uber's journey to form partnerships with taxis in London has been marked by significant challenges. Since its introduction to London in 2012, Uber's rapid growth faced resistance from the traditional black cab taxi sector in the city.

Over the years, CNN reported that black cab drivers implemented several government-backed changes to stay competitive with Uber, including the mandatory acceptance of card payments in 2016.

Uber's collaboration with London's black cab taxis follows a move over a year ago when the ride-hailing giant inked a deal to feature New York City's iconic yellow cabs on its app.

While Uber has faced significant conflicts with local taxi groups in the past, this year has seen a shift. Taxi drivers in Paris, New York, Rome, and numerous other major cities are now benefiting from partnerships with Uber, marking a significant reconciliation between the ride-hailing platform and traditional taxi services.

This partnership marks a new development for Uber, enabling cab drivers to opt into receiving Uber trip referrals. Riders, in turn, can easily request a ride in one of the iconic hackney carriages through the Uber app, with the added convenience of upfront pricing estimates.

This collaboration between Uber and traditional black cab taxis in London signifies a shift in their relationship, which has historically been marked by tension and competition. Since Uber's arrival in London in 2012, it has faced challenges from the traditional black cab industry, leading to legal battles and regulatory scrutiny.

Now, Sky News reported that Uber is working to integrate these iconic cabs into its platform, providing riders with more options and fostering collaboration between the ride-hailing giant and traditional taxi services.