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PostPosted: Thu Oct 21, 2021 2:20 pm 
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Much the same as last time round. The quotes seem to be slightly different, but in essence just the same as a few months ago.

However, this is being portrayed as the second phase after the 'pilot' schemes earlier this year.

But knowing how Uber spins these things, maybe they got a few local ops to sign-up initially, but then it all stalled, but when they eventually find another one they're 'excited' about 'rolling the product' out to other towns and cities :roll:


Uber expands to Stockton through partnership with local taxi firm

https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/ ... taxi-firm/

A GLOBAL taxi service has announced that it is expanding to a North East town through a local taxi firm from this week.

Uber has today, Thursday, October 21, announced that its Local Cab product is launching in Stockton-on-Tees, enabling passengers in the town to book a trip with a local taxi company via the Uber app.

Following a successful pilot of Local Cab earlier this year, which saw launches in six towns and cities across the UK, Uber is now extending the service to other areas of the country.

Uber hopes to make it simpler to arrange a taxi by opening their app, entering the trip details and choosing a local cab operator.

When you make your request, Uber will locate a local cab operator for you to book with, and send them your contact details to help you complete the trip.

Anyone opening the Uber app in Stockton-on-Tees will be presented with the Local Cab option, which connects them with local taxi firm Skyline Taxis.

Residents and visitors to Stockton-on-Tees had not previously been able to book a ride via Uber, despite the app being opened almost 7,000 times per month.

Uber came to the UK in 2012 starting off in London and then spreading to major cities across the country.

Now, in order to meet growing demand for trips and extend the use of its app beyond the 40 UK towns and cities in which it currently operates, Uber is looking to work with local operators.

Tahir Mahmood, Managing Director at Skyline Taxis, said: “We’re proud to bring Local Cab to the people of Stockton-on-Tees.

"This provides another way for customers to book with us – and for anyone visiting Stockton-on-Tees that already uses the Uber app, Local Cab will make it easy for them to book a ride with a local operator.”

Ash Kebriti, UK General Manager, Uber, said: “The Local Cab pilot has proved to be a success for local operators, riders and local economies. Local operators have seen increased demand for trips and are now actively recruiting new drivers, which is having a positive impact on the local economy.

"We are now excited to roll the product out to more towns and cities across the UK.”

A landmark decision of the Supreme Court in February ruled that Uber drivers have worker status, in what was seen as a blow to the gig worker economy.

As a result, Uber now guarantees drivers at least the National Living Wage, holiday pay and auto enrolment into a pension scheme.

But its drivers can retain flexibility to choose when to work and can drive with multiple apps at the same time.

Uber said drivers must hold a valid private hire licence from their local authority and go through a DBS check.

It stressed that for every journey, passengers see their driver’s name, photo, vehicle make and model, as well as their licence plate and their private-hire licence number.


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PostPosted: Thu Oct 21, 2021 2:21 pm 
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Suspect that bit near the end about the Supreme Court ruling *wasn't* part of the Uber press release, but has been tacked on by the newspaper.

But doubt if Uber and Skyline Taxis will be best pleased by its inclusion, because it will draw attention to how Uber and the Skylines of this world operated along similar lines, and to that extent draws attention to how far the Supreme Court ruling should be applied :-o


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PostPosted: Thu Oct 21, 2021 6:16 pm 
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Strange that Uber wasn't working in that area, either locally licensed vehicles or the cross-border version.

In some respects I wished there were cross-border vehicles working there, because now they won't be able to work there.

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PostPosted: Thu Oct 21, 2021 8:10 pm 
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Sussex wrote:
Strange that Uber wasn't working in that area, either locally licensed vehicles or the cross-border version.

In some respects I wished there were cross-border vehicles working there, because now they won't be able to work there.



There is cross border vehicles working here, this is one of the places it all kicked off.


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PostPosted: Fri Oct 22, 2021 6:43 pm 
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Quote:
There is cross border vehicles working here, this is one of the places it all kicked off.

The way I read the article is that now any Uber bookings in that area will go through the local operator, not through Uber's system. Thus those out of town cars will get no work from Uber in that area.

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PostPosted: Wed Mar 27, 2024 2:53 am 
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As I said at the time, the local cab option maybe a bit of a Trojan horse, and that Uber might use the scheme to gain a toehold, then launch their own service. Call me Cassandra-Stu :lol: [-(

But I'd guess Skyline maybe now regretting getting involved with Local Cab...

Anyway, this is pretty predictable, mainly PR stuff and advertorial from Uber and the news site - I mean, funny that there's always a huge surge in demand for Uber just before launching in a particular area :-o

And one single word also betrays the journalist's bias here. The word (as highlighted) wouldn't be Uber's, and you wouldn't include it in editorial unless you wanted to display your bias :roll:


Uber finally announces long-awaited launch in Teesside town following huge surge in demand

https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/tees ... d-28891411

Uber has announced it will finally be launching in Stockton following a surge in demand

Uber is officially set to launch in Stockton.

The popular taxi-hailing app has confirmed that it will be rolling out rides to passengers across the town, following a huge surge in demand. Bosses say over 4,500 local residents have been opening the Uber app looking for a trip every week.

Uber first arrived on Teesside in the form of the 'Local Cab' option back in 2021, which allowed customers to book a taxi through the Uber app by connecting them with local taxi firm Skyline Taxis. But it is now finally launching in full across Stockton, the second new town for the firm since 2017.

The company has not yet confirmed how far across Stockton it will cover. Uber has operated across most of the major towns and cities in the UK for several years, allowing customers to select a destination and pay through a single app. From driver ratings to GPS tracking and emergency support, the app offers both passengers and drivers numerous safety functions to track their trip, share it with trusted contacts, and stay connected with support teams.

Rumours of Uber launching on Teesside have swirled for years, with Teesside Live reporting in 2016 how the chain sadly had no plans to launch the taxi service in Middlesbrough - despite previously saying it was a location it had looked at for future expansion. However, Uber Eats, the company's online food ordering and delivery service, is already in place across several locations on Teesside and has been for several years.

To celebrate the Uber launch in Stockton, riders across the town can enjoy up to £20 off their next two rides until April 7, 2024. Andrew Brem, general manager of Uber UK, said: “We are extremely proud to launch Uber in Stockton where we have been seeing increased demand for our services. By bringing Uber to the town we want to help maximise earnings opportunities for drivers, boost transport options for passengers, and support the local economy.”

Muhammad, a private hire driver who has already signed up for Uber in Stockton, said: “Uber offers private hire owner drivers abundant opportunities to not only earn but also thrive in their profession. The seamless integration of technology not only simplifies the process for drivers but also ensures a smooth and efficient service for passengers.

"Moreover, by encouraging more drivers to join, Uber contributes to the economic growth of local communities, fostering greater connectivity and accessibility. Overall, I wholeheartedly encourage private hire owner drivers to embrace this opportunity with Uber, as it promises not just financial benefits but also a positive impact on the broader community."


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PostPosted: Wed Mar 27, 2024 2:54 am 
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A member of Uber's comms team, masquerading as a private hire driver called Muhammad, wrote:
Muhammad, a private hire driver who has already signed up for Uber in Stockton, said: “Uber offers private hire owner drivers abundant opportunities to not only earn but also thrive in their profession. The seamless integration of technology not only simplifies the process for drivers but also ensures a smooth and efficient service for passengers.

"Moreover, by encouraging more drivers to join, Uber contributes to the economic growth of local communities, fostering greater connectivity and accessibility. Overall, I wholeheartedly encourage private hire owner drivers to embrace this opportunity with Uber, as it promises not just financial benefits but also a positive impact on the broader community."

Very similar to what Muhammad was saying on the ranks in St Andrews the other night :lol: :roll:


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PostPosted: Wed Mar 27, 2024 3:10 pm 
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I must have spoken to 1000s of drivers in my time, yet I’ve never come across anyone quite like Muhammad.

He must be one in a million, or maybe he doesn’t exist. :wink:

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PostPosted: Wed Mar 27, 2024 8:26 pm 
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Uber takes surprise decision to shut down Local Cab service from December 11
By Mark Bursa | 9 November 2023, 20:04
Stranraer cab booking map with fare and time estimate.
Uber has taken the surprise decision to close its Local Cab service in the UK – though it plans to expand the service internationally.

An Uber spokesperson said: “Following a review we have decided to discontinue the Local Cab service in the UK, meaning that this product will no longer be available for Uber users. Autocab’s core business is unaffected and continues to grow.”

The Local Cab service was launched in 2021 following Uber’s takeover of dispatch systems provider Autocab in 2020. The service allowed private hire operators on Autocab’s iGo platform to access Uber jobs, giving customers using the Uber app the chance to use Uber’s platform in towns where Uber does not operate.

Around 70 operators had signed up to the service, and Uber rolled the service out in almost 100 UK towns and cities, in addition to the 17 cities where Uber has a direct presence. But Uber has now given operators 30 days’ notice that Local Cab will be switched off next month.

In an email to operators, Uber wrote: “Following a recent review of the performance of Local Cab in the UK, we have decided, regrettably, to discontinue the Local Cab service as of Monday 11th of December at 5pm. We are very sorry to bring this news and we are extremely grateful for the service provided by operators across the UK since Local Cab’s inception in 2021.”

Autocab managing director Safa Alkateb also emailed operators about the decision. He wrote: “The combination of the excellent technical integration of Local Cab and the more favourable market fit abroad means that we will be launching Local Cab internationally. Work is already well underway on this, and we look forward to announcing these partnerships in the New Year.”


“I want to assure you that the termination of the Local Cab service in the UK will not impact our service to you. As per your contract with Autocab, your data is your data and in line with data protection law, your data will continue to be protected. If you have signed a Local Cab contract with Uber, your contract ensures that any driver data provided for tracking details is not allowed to be retained or used by Uber for the purposes of marketing to those drivers.”

The announcement does not address why the decision has been taken, or whether Uber will resume launching its service with its own fleet of drivers in cities where customers will no longer be able to access the service.

Uber stopped direct launches in the UK in 2017, and even suggested that it might in future transition to a full platform, without operating its own cars, other than in very major cities such as London.

It is also possible that Uber will concentrate entirely on large urban areas and abandon plans to build a national app that works everywhere – which was the objective of Local Cab.

https://www.prodrivermags.com/news/uber ... cember-11/


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