New UK wide minicab app could see Ubers driver numbers dwarfed by 3 to 1

With the imminent launch of Uber's IPO, which could see a $90 billion valuation placed upon the tech giant, a new player has entered the UK's private hire market, which could see the Uber's UK driver numbers dwarfed by 3 to 1. 

Cabs.com, a minicab firm aggregator, which boasts 8,000 cab firms, comprising of 150,000 cabs across the UK launched today, claiming to provide better coverage in rural areas than Uber.

42 year old William Berry, CEO and founder of Cabs.com, said: “This is a huge opportunity to bring together all the independent cab companies, and their drivers into one advanced digital hailing service." 

Mr Berry added: "As we grow in the UK we intend to extend the proposition to the US and other English-speaking countries” 

Cabs.com plans to increase its market-share by signing up as many as 15,000 local minicab firms and their 250,000 cars as they look to take on Uber. This could be worth at least £3 million. 

The rate of commission is significantly lower than Uber, with firms paying 10p per fare compared with Uber’s 30 per cent. It is claimed that the company’s presence will primarily be in the least populated of Britain’s counties, 

According to Cabs.com, one of the major differences between them and their app-based competitors is the fact that a passenger’s contract is with the registered cab company, not the driver (as is the case with Uber) there is a clear pathway for recourse, should it be necessary: incorrect fare-charging, lateness and unacceptable behaviour 

William Berry is the co-founder of Accommodation For Students, and Conferences UK, a search engine for venues, he sold his stakes in both companies in 2017. 

Image Source: Pxhere