‘FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY’: Freenow by Lyft and Saltire Private Hire celebrate six months of success in Glasgow partnership
- Perry Richardson
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Six months after Freenow by Lyft launched its Glasgow ride-hailing service in partnership with Saltire Private Hire, both firms are said to be marking a period of strong growth and collaboration.
The partnership, first announced in May, introduced the European multi-mobility platform’s app-based service to Glasgow. The move built on its existing network in Edinburgh and over 150 other cities across Europe.
Rob Finlayson, Operations and People Specialist at Driving Edge, reflected on the progress made since launch, describing it as a period of “fantastic opportunity and growth” for both Saltire and City Cars. He highlighted how the partnership has simplified driver onboarding, refined coverage areas and introduced new training initiatives.
Finlayson said the collaboration had been “a real breath of fresh air” from day one, pointing to the shared approach between Saltire and Freenow as key to its success. The fleet has reportedly seen “explosive growth” over the six months, with increased demand and expanded driver options.
Freenow’s platform offers features such as upfront pricing, real-time arrival estimates and pre-booking up to four days in advance. Passengers can pay using Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, card or cash, while safety measures include driver and vehicle details provided at booking and a trip-sharing option for passengers.
The Glasgow partnership marked Freenow’s first collaboration of its kind in the UK. Finlayson credited the milestone to “great support” from both Freenow’s UK team and local leadership, noting that the success had created strong momentum for further expansion.
As both firms look ahead, Freenow’s continued investment in regional partnerships and driver support suggests further growth across Scotland is likely.
Rob Finlayson said: “Hard to believe it's already been six months since we launched our partnership with Freenow back in May.
“From day one, it's been a real breath of fresh air from starting with the basics of simplifying and streamlining our onboarding processes to adjustments to coverage and changes to trainign for new drivers both to City cars and Freenow. Its been a genuine Collaboration from the outset, a rare thing these days. We've been fortunate enough to be able to learn, grow and develop on the back of.
“The partnership has gone from strength to strength, we've seen explosive growth over the period both with our partnership and through our own system due to extra options now afforded to our drivers.
“Absolutely delighted to have been the first fleet in the UK to partner up with Freenow, despite it being a long time in the making with great support from wonderful people such as David Marks, Kyle, Acarkan and Dylan from Freenow by Lyft.
“Whilst it’s been a whirlwind 6 months i'm delighted to say its been a period of fantastic opportunity and growth for both myself and Saltire/ City Cars. Here's to the next six months and beyond.”
