Uber to offer black cab journeys in London from early next year

Londoners will be able to order black cabs through Uber from early next year, the app company has announced.

The US-based business said the move follows taxi drivers in Paris, New York, Rome and major cities across 33 countries, who are taking trips through Uber.

Uber says a “small number” of London taxi drivers have already signed up to the service and it hopes to recruit “several hundred” by January 2024.

The move has sparked controversy from the Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association (LTDA), which represents more than 10,000 members. It said it was not consulted ahead of Uber's "unilateral announcement".

Steve McNamara, LTDA general secretary, said there was "no demand for this partnership" from the drivers it represented and that 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.

People who book a taxi through the app will be shown an estimated price but will be charged the fare on the meter plus a £2 booking fee retained by Uber.

Uber said it will not charge new drivers commission for their first six months.

Hameed Hameedi, the first London cab driver to sign up with Uber, completed the Knowledge in 2015. The Knowledge is a test all black-cab drivers in London must pass to secure a licence.

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

"App bookings are good for me because I know where my next job will be. More passengers booking trips means more cash for cabbies."

London licensed taxi driver Howard Taylor said he would never consider joining Uber.

“Cabbies work hard to do the Knowledge and we take great pride in what we do. London black cabs are the gold standard,” said Mr Taylor. “We go the extra mile to help our passengers and are committed to providing a safe, accessible and efficient service. From everything I’ve seen, I don’t believe Uber shares these commitments.”

Uber’s announcement has been welcomed by business group BusinessLDN.

Muniya Barua, deputy chief executive, 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.”