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 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 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 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…

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 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,…

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 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…

Tighter new rules for taxis in North Somerset have been scaled back after drivers warned they could force drivers out of business. A plan to ban any car from being used as a taxi once it was ten years old has now been dropped…

Operators in Darlington are struggling to fulfil jobs in the town due to a shortage of drivers. The number of taxi drivers in Darlington has not recovered since the Covid-19 pandemic, and there are around 100 fewer drivers in the town than there were…

German car rental giant Sixt has announced a major investment in chauffeur app Blacklane, which will extend Blacklane’s global reach. Blacklane and Sixt will work jointly on expanding their footprint in international markets, initially with a special focus on North America, the most important…

Veezu, the UK’s largest private hire operator, is the latest company to be targeted with legal action over the employment status of its drivers. A case is being brought by law firm Leigh Day on behalf of some Veezu drivers, in a bid to…

Private hire drivers in Glasgow have won their battle with the City Council to keep their cars on the road for longer. They will now be able to use a car for up to 10 years rather than seven, providing it meets health and…

Ride-hailing operator Bolt has launched a dedicated Pet category in London, with a supplementary charge for passengers wishing to bring animals with them on their journeys. Deborah Meijer, Head of Operations for Bolt in London said: “The category implements a level of transparency which…

Charge point operator Be.EV has announced it will install 60 rapid charging points across Greater Manchester exclusively dedicated to EV private hire and hackney vehicles licensed by one of the ten Greater Manchester Authorities. The initiative has been made funded through a £5.9 million…

Three Glasgow taxi operators have had their licenses revoked because their cars violated controversial low emissions zone regulations in the city, which came into force on June 1, 2023. The companies’ vehicles did not meet the standards, the Council said. At a City Council…

Plans to rebrand Newcastle’s taxis into the black-and-white colours of Newcastle United Football Club have been approved by the city council, despite opposition from local drivers Newcastle’s fleet of almost 600 licensed hackney carriages will be required to be all black with distinctive white…