The ride-hailing firm Uber (UBER.N) will open its app to London’s black cabs next year, trying to win over the British capital’s taxis after a decade of tensions. If black cab drivers sign up significantly, it could represent a considerable thaw in relations with the tech company.
Black cabs, known as hackney carriages in Britain, have been a fixture on the streets of London since the early 20th century, replacing for-hire horse-drawn carriages. The city’s regulator, Transport for London, requires drivers to pass “The Knowledge,” a test that involves memorizing thousands of routes across the capital. It can take three to four years to master.
But in recent years, the rise of smartphone technology and apps like Uber has eroded their market share. Drivers of the bulbous black cabs have resisted efforts by the San Francisco-based firm to bring in more riders by listing their vehicles on its app.
In response, Uber has offered several concessions. Last year, it announced that it would offer more transparent fare estimates than those displayed in the vehicle. It has also added features to the Uber app that appeal to customers, including a real-time view of their driver approaching and a feature that allows them to send trip details to friends ahead of time.
But it has not stopped black cab drivers from staging regular protests against the company. On Wednesday, more than 10,000 cabs blocked traffic in central London as part of a campaign against Uber.
The company’s latest move aims to lure taxi drivers to reverse a slide in app downloads by making more travel options available at the tap of a button, says Jo Bertram, the UK general manager of Uber. She said the company’s decision to welcome the iconic London cabs was “a reflection of this.”
However, representatives of the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association have dismissed the announcement, saying they were not consulted and are wary of aligning themselves with Uber and its poor safety record. They also fear that linking themselves to the service may tarnish their reputation.
The cab drivers will receive regular trip dispatches through the Uber app, with an upfront price range and destination, which they can accept or reject. Those who do accept will be paid a 0% commission for the first six months. They can charge a higher rate than the fare if they want to earn more. Uber is already offering this option for some other taxi companies in London, including Gett and Taxiapp. Uber has also recently expanded its app’s list of additional transportation services, including intercity trains, Eurostar and National Express, and car rentals. Its app is currently used by about 3.5 million people in the city.