FREE NOW reports ‘phenomenal’ level of growth in taxi bookings since restrictions eased

Taxi and private hire ride-hailing app FREE NOW has seen a ‘phenomenal’ level of growth in journeys since the Government eased restrictions on 17 April.

According to FREE NOW sources, bookings increased by 91% in the first three weeks after restrictions were lifted. In the first week alone the ride-hailing app saw a 70% increase in taxi rides.

The taxi industry has been hit hard financially as a result of the pandemic. There is however now fresh hope that pent-up demand for leisure activities and from those returning to work will mean a quicker than expected recovery for a heavily impacted industry.

Mariusz Zabrocki, General Manager FREE NOW UK, said: “The 91% increase in bookings is a phenomenal level of growth that has exceeded even our own expectations.

“In the first week of lockdown lifting we saw a 70% uplift in taxi rides on our app. This trend has continued and over the past three weeks we have continued to see pent-up demand being unleashed as restrictions lift and Londoners regain their confidence in travelling which has had an immensely positive impact on the Black cab trade.

“Like many industries, the taxi industry has been severely impacted by lockdown restrictions which has seen ride-hailing drop to the lowest levels on record. As a leading taxi hailing app we are a proud to partner with a network of 15,000 taxi drivers, enabling them to continue work and earn at a time when on-street ride hailing has dramatically fallen.

“The taxi industry has played a key part in supporting the nation during this challenging time, with FREE NOW drivers providing free rides to vaccination appointments. As the road back to recovery continues to build momentum and the UK starts to reopen, we expect the taxi industry will be crucial in getting towns and cities moving fully once again and that demand levels will continue to grow at record levels.”