In a major triumph for ride-hailing company Uber, their app users will soon be able to hail London’s iconic Black Cabs. This news follows on the heels of a partnership between Uber and Transport for London (TfL), safeguarding the interests of the city’s cab drivers and customers.
Black Cabs are a long-standing part of London, appearing in films and on postcards dating as far back as the 1950’s. Typically, they are large enough to accommodate up six passengers and have a plug-in charger for electronic devices. On top of that, they are wheelchair accessible and their drivers have an extensive knowledge of the cityscape.
Following months of negotiations, an agreement has been reached between TfL and Uber that sees the introduction of licensed London Taxi drivers to the Uber app.
For now, approximately 30,000 of London’s Black Cabs are vulnerable to the increasingly competitive ride-hailing market, as TfL allows taxi drivers to apply to become part of the Uber fleet. It is expected that, by 2021, an estimated 10,000 Black Cab drivers will begin offering their services through the Uber app.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan hailed the move as a breakthrough in the capital’s transportation. He stated: “I am pleased to announce that today we have reached an agreement with Uber and Transport for London that offers the capital greater choice and convenience, whilst ensuring that licensed driver standards remain among the highest in the world.” He added that TfL would continue to monitor how the agreement develops.
For Uber, this is a landmark move that sees the company gain further ground in the ride-hailing market. The partnership with TfL goes further to establish legitimacy in London, a city where the company has faced strong overtures in the past.
If successful, the scheme could even be rolled out to other cities, allowing other cities to capitalize on the traditional taxi industry while also benefitting from Uber’s technology.
In the end, both parties are confident that the arrangement is working towards an outcome that is beneficial for all. It is believed that the move will stand as an example to other companies, which may pave the way for similar partnerships in the future.