News

Curtis Gabriel falls into administration two years after major head office expansion

11 December 2023, 08:10

Curtis Gabriel, the digital marketing business that specialised in running private hire operators’ social media accounts, has gone into administration. Insolvency practitioners Steven Ross and Allan Kelly, both of FRP Advisory Trading Limited, were appointed administrators in the High Court of Justice Business and…

Uber move to partner with London Black Cabs receives frosty response from LTDA

4 December 2023, 22:18

Uber’s surprising decision to try and add London black cabs to its ride-hailing app has met with a negative response from the taxi drivers’ trade association. Uber said it was opening the platform to taxi drivers, with the intention of starting services in early…

FreeNow and Karhoo partner on ride-hailing services across Europe

4 December 2023, 22:14

Karhoo is integrating the FreeNow mobility app into its platform under a new pan-European partnership. The alliance aims to make private and business travel seamless by improving the accessibility of ride-hailing services.  Under the deal, Karhoo will integrate FreeNow’s taxi and private-hire vehicle supply…

Addison Lee resets green targets and calls on Khan to keep c-charge EV exemption

4 December 2023, 22:12

Addison Lee has rowed back on its pledge to have an all-electric fleet by 2025, and instead has announced a major order for plug-in hybrid Volkswagen Multivan people carriers. The company cites a lack of availability of suitable EV models, particularly 7-seaters, and ongoing…

Chancellor announces 2024 consultation on whether private hire fares should be subject to VAT

22 November 2023, 23:52

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt used the Autumn Statement to launch a consultation into whether private hire operators should charge VAT on fares. The consultation, which follows the recent Sefton High Court ruling, will be launched in the first half of 2024. The Autumn Statement said:…

Uber takes surprise decision to shut down Local Cab service from December 11

9 November 2023, 20:04

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…

Bolt launches scheduled ride service for London customers

2 November 2023, 20:27

London customers can now schedule a journey with ride-hailing platform Bolt up to three days in advance, addressing one of the major weaknesses of ride-hailing platforms. Drivers will wait for five minutes free of charge after they arrive, and the price is locked in…

Toyota changes its mind – new Prius will go on sale in UK next year

2 November 2023, 20:26

Toyota has changed its mind about launching the new Prius in the UK, and the car is now set to go on sale next year. Earlier, Toyota had killed off the hybrid model in the UK, citing tumbling sales and a switch to SUVs,…

DG Group moves south with strategic acquisition of Arrow Taxi Group

2 November 2023, 07:47

Nottingham-based DG Group has expanded into southern England with the strategic acquisition of Worthing-based Arrow Taxi Group. The company, which is unrelated to Leeds-based Arrow Cars, is a family-run business which has been under the same ownership for the past 29 years. The deal…

Veezu wins Cardiff approval to wrap vehicles with prominent logos, despite local concerns

2 November 2023, 07:46

Veezu has won approval from Cardiff City Council to display its branding on its cars in the city, despite the concerns of local rivals. The Newport-based private hire giant was granted an exemption from a licensing condition that restricts the size of the logo…