Uber accelerates Local Cab service rollout with operators in four more UK cities

Uber is continuing the rapid rollout of its Local Cab service, with operators in Bedford, Gloucester, Cheltenham and Exeter signing up for the service, which enables passengers in the town to book a trip with a local taxi company via the Uber app.

Uber has already launched the service in Plymouth with Need-A-Cab, and in Oxford with 001 Taxis and the new deals bring the total number of conurbations served to six, with eight operators signing up to the service.

In Bedford, the Local Cab option on the latest version of the Uber app will connect passengers to taxi firm Key Cars. Uber said its app was being opened almost 10,000 times per month in Bedford, but passengers have not previously been able to book a ride as Uber does not operate directly in the town.

In Exeter, two operators, Apple Central Taxis and Need-A-Cab, are now in the Local Cab scheme, giving them access to a potential monthly 25,000 journeys, as Uber said that was the number of times the app had been opened in Exeter on average.

And in the Gloucester-Cheltenham area, three firms have signed up: Andy Cars in Gloucester, and Starline Taxis and A2B Taxis in Cheltenham. Uber claims a whopping 40,000 monthly app openings in the two cities.

The Local Cab option is the result of Uber’s acquisition of Autocab last year, which was cleared by the Competition and Markets Agency earlier this year. The deal is allowing Uber to expand beyond the 40 UK towns and cities in which it currently operates directly by using local operators to fulfil its jobs via the Autocab iGo network.

Amna Sadiqa of Key Cars said: “We’re delighted to be one of the first operators in the UK to pilot Local Cab. For anyone in Bedford who already uses the Uber app, it is now easy to book a ride with us. With the boost in passengers, we will also be looking to welcome new drivers to the company.”

Uber UK General Manager Ash Kebriti 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 this pilot of Local Cab in Bedford 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.”