Uber opens up sign-ups for black cabs

In what it is calling a "partnership" with hackney carriage drivers, Uber is allowing black cab drivers to use its ride-hailing app starting in the new year.

But according to the Licenced Taxi Drivers' Association (LTDA), which has over 10,000 members, Uber's "unilateral announcement" was made without their consent.

"Sullying" the trade, according to Steve McNamara of the LTDA, would mean joining Uber.

However, Uber said that a "small number" of taxi drivers had already registered.

General Secretary of the LTDA, Mr McNamara, stated that the drivers it represented had "no demand for this partnership" and that London's taxi industry had experienced "huge 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."

According to the ride-hailing service, the first London taxi driver to join up was Hameed Hameedi, who finished the Knowledge in 2015.

"Uber opening up to black cabs will be a huge advantage to the trade," said Hameedi.

"It's advantageous for me to have app bookings because I can plan my next job." Cab drivers make more money as more people book rides."

However, Howard Taylor, a licenced taxi driver in London, declared that he would "never consider joining Uber".

"London black cabs are the gold standard," he stated.

According to Uber, black taxi drivers who register will receive a free six-month commission for reservations made through the app.

The black taxi community has disliked Uber for years.

It has planned several protests and rallies against the app, which arrived in London in 2012 in an attempt to cause a market disruption.

Although black hackney taxis are the only vehicles that may be hailed on the street, individuals have begun "e-hailing" minicabs thanks to smartphone apps and app technology.

(Sources: bbc.co.uk)