Uber adds Oxford operator 001 Taxis to ‘local cab’ pilot scheme

Uber has added a second city to its Local Cab scheme, with Oxford joining Plymouth as part of the pilot scheme.

Anyone opening the Uber app in Oxford will see the ‘Local cab’ option which will connect passengers to the taxi firm 001 Taxis Oxford.

Uber Local Cab allows passengers to book a trip with a local taxi company via the Uber app. The move follows the Competition & Markets Agency’s approval of Uber’s takeover of dispatch systems supplier Autocab.

In Plymouth, local firm Need-A-Cab is Uber’s partner. 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 65,000 times per month in Oxford, passengers have not previously been able to book a ride in a local cab.

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

Amir Khan, managing director of 001 Taxis Oxford, said: “This will give the people of Oxford another way to book with 001 Taxis Oxford – and anyone visiting the city who 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, Uber’s UK General Manager, 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 local cab in Oxford and 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.”

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. The pilot is the first collaboration between the two companies since Uber bought Autocab last August.