Taxi Driver Online

Uber is piloting new Local Cab app in Exeter

Not content with just offering Uber Eats in Exeter, the business is now expanding into transport services and has announced Exeter has been chosen as the latest city to launch its new Local Cab app.

It will enable passengers in the city to book a trip with two local taxi companies via the Uber app.

Anyone opening the Uber app in Exeter will see the Local Cab option which will connect passengers to taxi firms Apple Central Taxis and Need-A-Cab.

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 25,000 times per month in Exeter, passengers have not previously been able to book a ride via the Uber app.

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.

Steve Screech, general manager at Apple Central Taxis, said: "We’re delighted to be one of the first operators in the UK to pilot Local Cab.

"This will give the people of Exeter another way to book with both Apple Central Taxis and Need-A-Cab Exeter."

Ash Kebriti, UK General Manager, Uber, added: "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 Exeter 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."

Uber’s app will integrate with Autocab’s iGo network, which has the potential to connect passengers with 80,000 private hire and taxi drivers in the UK.

This pilot is the first time the two technology companies have worked together since Uber reached an agreement to acquire Autocab in August 2020.

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IDFIMH

So which firm is going to buyout the other first.

Else it's going to end in tears IMO.

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IDFIMH

Funny that Mr Screech of Apple Central Taxis also promotes Need-A-Cab Exeter in his statement, although they seem to be unrelated businesses. Although maybe the Uber tie-up means they'll end up bessies. We've been assuming there will only be one Autocab tie-up operator in each location, but of course as Exeter is demonstrating, there could be two or more, so who knows how that will work out.

Meanwhile, another news website also includes a quote from Need-A-Cab, and that's our Mr McIntosh from Plymouth. I wonder if he's short of drivers in Exeter as well?


Which is exactly the same quote as he used in Plymouth, changed to mention Exeter rather than Plymouth, obviously

However, on Need-A-Cab Exeter's website they've used the Plymouth quote and forgot to change that to Exeter


https://www.exetercars.com/uber-partnership/

Interesting that this follows from Apple central upgrading their booking and dispatch system

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

Wonder how this works out for the drivers, with their office taking a slice of the pie, and Uber taking a slice too. How much of the fare goes to the driver?

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Former taxi driver

It depends if the Uber fares are done at office rates or not but I suspect that it won't be 25 percent

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

I suspect the office will still take their office rent, and Uber will take 10/15% of the fare.

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IDFIMH

So do I. With the office taking roughly 10%, and Uber taking a more likely 20%, and the punter pays by card, at 1.75% I suspect the job won’t be worth having. A £20 fare would leave the driver with £13.50 to £14.00 not much pie left for the driver after running costs.

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Former taxi driver