Uber Launches Partnership with London Black Cabs

On Wednesday, Uber launched its ride-hailing app for black-cab drivers in partnership with Hackney Carriage.

The partnership will start in early 2024. 

“The move opens up the Uber app to the hackney carriage, much loved by tourists and Londoners alike and an historic part of the capitals transport network,” says Uber. 

Muniya Barua, Deputy Chief Executive of Business LDN, said, “This new partnership will help Londoners and tourists get around the city more easily by making different travel options available at the tap of a button. 

“It will provide cabbies with a steady flow of bookings, and it will benefit businesses across the capital by making travel across the capital more efficient.”

According to Uber, many drivers have already signed up for this new venture, and new drivers will benefit from 0% commission for their first six months, but the amount after is still unknown. 

Hameed Hameedi, the first London cab driver to sign up with Uber, said, “A lot has changed since Uber first came to London, and I know lots of cabbies who first started out as Uber drivers. “

“Nowadays, more passengers than ever are using apps, so Uber opening up to Black Cabs will be a huge advantage to the trade. 

“App bookings are good for me because I know where my next job will be, so I don’t miss any time searching on the streets for the next job. 

“Ultimately, more passengers booking trips means more cash for cabbies and I’m excited that we are now working together.”

A Win-Win?

Uber launched in London over ten years ago, providing over a billion trips for millions of people who use the app every week.

Globally, thousands of taxi drivers now take trips on Uber. In Europe and the Middle East, more than 10% of Uber trips are now completed by taxi drivers.

Andrew Brem, General Manager of Uber UK, said, “We’re partnering with taxi drivers across the world, and the message we are hearing from them is clear – Uber and taxis are better together. 

“Black Cabs are an iconic part of the capital, loved by Londoners and visitors alike, and we are proud to work side by side. 

“Partnership is win-win-win: helping London cab drivers earn more, boosting travel options for passengers and making London’s transport network more efficient.”

However, people who book the taxi via the app will be shown an estimated price but charged the fare on the meter, plus the £2 booking fee retained by Uber.

Many people in the black cab community are not fond of the idea. 

Cabbies thought it was “unjust” how Black hackney cabs were the only cars you could hail on the street, but the app technology and smartphones have changed that and meant people started “e-hailing” minicabs.

Steve McNamara, general secretary of the licensed taxi drivers association, said there was “no demand for this partnership.”

“London’s cabbies had seen significant growth since the pandemic, with record demand for cabs, more work through taxi apps and huge levels of investment being made in new electric taxis”.

“We don’t believe our members will even consider joining the app, given its well-documented poor record on everything from passenger safety to workers’ rights in London,” he said.

He added, “Taxis can already be booked through a range of apps such as Gett, TaxiApp, FreeNow and ComCab.