Blackcab.com launches driver apps and confirms March consumer advertising push
- Perry Richardson
- 48 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Blackcab.com has launched its driver applications on both Android and iOS app stores, opening the platform to all London licensed taxi drivers ahead of a planned consumer advertising campaign starting next month.
In a series of posts on social media, a Blackcab.com spokesperson said the app is now live and available to download, confirming that drivers do not need to be existing Cabvision customers to join the platform. The spokesperson added that materials including receipt rolls and business cards are available from Cabvision’s Pedley Street site in east London, as well as at Heathrow.
The company said it is actively encouraging drivers to build direct relationships with passengers by handing out business cards carrying their own contact details.
FAQs published outline a commission-free structure for drivers. The platform states that it does not charge commission on fares and, in the first version of the app, does not levy card processing or subscription fees. Drivers are paid directly by passengers, either in cash or by card using a TfL-approved terminal already installed in the taxi.
New black cab platform opens registrations to all London drivers as first passenger marketing campaigns are set for March
The company says all job offers shown to drivers include the destination upfront. Drivers can choose when to go online or offline and can set a preferred run-in distance within the app, indicating how far they are willing to travel to collect a fare. When a passenger requests a taxi, the job is offered to the nearest available driver, who has a limited window to accept before it is offered more widely.
Documentation requirements listed for drivers include a TfL-issued taxi driver’s licence, a DVLA driving licence, a valid taxi insurance certificate and recent proof of address. The platform confirms it can be used on most smartphones or tablets, although drivers with devices more than five years old are advised to check compatibility.
Blackcab.com said its first consumer-facing advertising will go live from 1 March, with campaigns running in partnership with British Airways and Eurostar. The move signals a push to raise passenger awareness as the platform seeks to position itself as an alternative booking channel within the London black cab market.
The launch comes as competition among taxi booking apps continues to intensify, with operators increasingly focusing on driver economics, transparency of jobs and control over customer relationships as key differentiators.
