Taxi Driver Online

Uber is launching in Plymouth with country's first ‘local cab’ app

We've already got Uber Eats, but now people in Plymouth will be able to book a taxi via the Uber Local Cab app.

Though official Uber cars will not be used in the new pilot scheme, the firm will hook up potential passengers with city taxi provider Need-A-Cab.

The new product ‘Local Cab’ will allow passengers in the city to book a trip via the Uber app.

Anyone opening the Uber app in Plymouth will see the ‘Local Cab’ option which will connect passengers to Need-A-Cab. Users will have to download the latest version of the app to be able to see the pilot product.

Despite the Uber app being opened as many as 16,500 times per month in Plymouth, passengers have not previously been able to book a ride in a local taxi.

To meet this demand, and enable use of the app beyond the 40 towns and cities Uber currently operates in in the UK, the firm is looking to work with local operators across the country.

Dave McIntosh at Need-A-Cab, said: “We’re delighted to be the first local operator in the UK to pilot ‘Local cab.’ This will give the people of Plymouth another way to book with Need-A-Cab – 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 Plymouth 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.”

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IDFIMH

So how will this work with regard to fares, say? If Uber more expensive then not really in keeping with its claim to pricing transparency if they're charging more than the Plymouth firm for the same cab and driver.

But if Uber cheaper than the Plymouth firm then existing customers will soon get wise to fact that booking through Uber is getting the same cab and driver for a cheaper fare.

Anyway, no point rehashing all the earlier debate as to whether or not this will work out in the Plymouth firm's interests.

But, to underline another angle, surely this will just draw attention to the fact that Uber drivers are now categorised as 'workers', while the Plymouth firm's aren't (presumably). So that could be another way the Plymouth firm is cutting its own throat with this

And, for those who claimed that Uber's commission and non-cash model meant it was different from the mainstream trade, a couple of interesting nuggets on the Plymouth firm's website:

it sounds like uber is replacing the branding on the existing app the company uses and will just be taking a small fee as per the previous Autocab arrangement

their logic being that it will increase brand awareness and sales

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

We have to bear in mind that there are two different types of areas.

A where Uber has an existing presence, and B where Uber currently has no presence.

I'm guessing Plymouth is a B area that doesn't have a Uber ops license, or have non local Uber vehicles filling that void.

In that case the fare being shown to the customer is the fare that has been set by the local operator. Or if the firm has taxis then it will be set to the local council approved tariff.

If however we are talking about an A area where Uber vehicles are already operating, be that via local licensed vehicles or non local vehicles working cross border, the tariff will once again be set by the local operator or via the council if taxis are being used by that operator.

The options being displayed in area B areas will just be local taxis (be they taxi or PH), more than likely saloon and multi seater prices.

In area A areas the options being offered to customers will be both Uber's normal/surge prices and the rates from the local operator for saloons and multi seaters.

I'm told on very good authority the nearest vehicle rates, be they Uber's or local taxis, will be shown on the top. It wont necessarily be the cheapest option at the top.

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IDFIMH

Maybe, maybe not.

Clearly the highest court in the land has said that Uber drivers are workers, but that doesn't mean everyone else isn't.

If a firm like the one in Plymouth suddenly increases in size, I very much suspect the unions will see an opening for them to gain membership by making those drivers workers as well.

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IDFIMH