Uber to launch ‘Local cab’ pilot in Oxford as Autocab iGO integration gathers pace
Uber has today announced the latest pilot of its new product, ‘Local cab’, in Oxford, which will enable passengers in the city to book a trip with a local taxi company via the Uber app.
Anyone opening the Uber app in Oxford will see the ‘Local cab’ option which will connect passengers to the taxi firm 001 Taxis Oxford. Users will have to download the latest version of the app to be able to see the Local cab product.
Despite the Uber app being opened as many as 65,000 times per month in Oxford, passengers have not previously been able to book a ride in a local cab.
To meet this demand, and enable use of the app beyond the 40 towns and cities Uber currently operates in in the UK, Uber is looking to work with local operators across the country.
Uber’s app will integrate with Autocab’s iGo network, which the firm says has the potential to connect passengers with 80,000 private hire and taxi drivers in the UK. The Oxford pilot is the second time the two technology companies have worked together since Uber reached an agreement to acquire Autocab in August 2020.
On 20 May, Uber first released the ‘Local cab’ option in Plymouth connecting passengers to the taxi firm Need-A-Cab.
Amir Khan, Managing Director at 001 Taxis Oxford, said: “We’re delighted to be one of the first operators in the UK to pilot ‘Local cab.’ This will give the people of Oxford another way to book with 001 Taxis Oxford – and anyone visiting the city, that already uses the Uber app, will now find it easy to book a ride with a local operator.
“With the boost in passengers, we will also be looking to welcome new drivers to the company.”
Ash Kebriti, UK General Manager, Uber, said: “Every month, we see thousands of people in towns and cities across the UK where we currently don’t operate open the Uber app and try to request a trip. Launching this pilot of Local cab in Oxford is an exciting first step in connecting these riders with local operators so that eventually the Uber app can be used anywhere in the country.”
