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Major operators sign up as Uber expands Local Cab into 11 further UK locations Mark Bursa
Radio Taxis Southampton, Apple Central Taxis of Weston-super-Mare and TOA Taxis of Scotland are among big names in the industry that have signed up to Uber’s Local Cab network, the ride-hailing giant has announced. Local Cab has been extended into eleven new locations across the UK as Uber continues to build a national service in partnership with local private hire and taxi operators by linking them into the Uber system via Autocab’s iGo network. These companies have now joined the network, and started accepting jobs booked via the Uber app. u Radio Taxis, Southampton u Data Yorkshire, Pontefract u Apple Central Taxis, Weston-super-Mare u ABC Taxis, Newport u TOA Taxis, West Dunbartonshire u Yellow Cars, Bristol u Carriage Company, Banbury u CabCo, Canterbury u ABC Taxis, Benfleet and Canvey Island u Oswestry Cars, Oswestry u Acorn Taxis, Tamworth u Intime Taxis, Manchester u Her Ride, Oxford In Southampton, Pontefract, Weston-superMare, Newport and Bristol, Local Cab will run alongside regular Uber-operated services, including UberX, UberXL and Comfort. In the other locations, people will be able to use
the Uber app to book a car for the first time. Since the company’s successful pilot of Local Cab last year, the service has launched in more than 40 towns and cities across the UK. Simon May, director at QSi Gold Award-winning operator Radio Taxis Southampton (pictured), said: “We’re hoping that the extra trips Local Cab generates will also encourage more new drivers to join our fleet.” Sajid Majid, director at Data Yorkshire, said: “Demand for taxis in Pontefract is high and we know there’s a real appetite among passengers for more transport options, so Local Cab has arrived at just the right time.” Uber has also expanded its coverage in Manchester and Oxford, adding an additional
operator in each city. Intime Taxis of Levenshulme becomes the eleventh operator in the Greater Manchester region to sign up for Local Cab. And in Oxford, Her Ride – a company that recruits mainly female drivers and focuses on providing safe transport for women – has become the second Local Cab operator in the city, joining 001 Taxis. Jamie Heywood, Uber’s regional general manager for Northern and Eastern Europe: “We’re excited to add nine new areas to our growing list of locations across the UK where riders can access Local Cab. This will help maximise earnings opportunities for drivers while giving passengers more choice, meaning that everyone will benefit.”
Uber appoints former BA and British Gas executive Brem to head UK operations Mark Bursa Uber has chosen a former senior manager at British Airways to head up its UK operations. Andrew Brem (pictured), who was chief commercial officer at the airline, will oversee all areas of Uber’s mobility business in the UK and report directly to Jamie Heywood, Uber’s regional general manager, northern Europe. Brem is replacing Ash Kebriti as UK General Manager. Kebriti has taken on another role within Uber, based at Uber’s European headquarters. Brem has more than 30 years’ experience of leading the operations and digital transformation of major corporations such as Asda, Aviva and British Gas, where he launched Hive. At British Airways, he oversaw the airline’s commercial operations during the pandemic. He said: “Uber is one of the most exciting
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technology companies in the world as it continues to change the way we move around our cities. The UK has led the way globally in driving forward Uber’s electrification efforts, as well as providing all UK drivers with worker protections such as holiday pay and a pension in what was an industry first.” Brem joins Uber following the decision by TfL to grant the company a 30-month operator’s licence in London. Uber also recently announced plans to expand its UK passenger transport offering to include intercity rail and coach services, as well as access to nationwide car rentals, with plans to add flights and hotel bookings to the app at a later date. Prior to working at British Airways, Aviva and British Gas, Brem served as managing director of multi-channel e-commerce and services at Carphone Warehouse and as director responsible for new business at Asda.
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