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Freenow by Lyft expands into Northern Ireland as operator partners with FonaCAB’s 1,200-driver taxi network
Lyft has expanded its European taxi booking operations into Northern Ireland, officially launching its Freenow service through a partnership with Belfast taxi operator FonaCAB.
The launch was announced on 8 October 2026, with bookings available across Belfast, Lisburn, Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus. The service also covers other areas served by FonaCAB, including Craigavon and Banbridge.
Lyft has expanded its European taxi booking operations into Northern Ireland, officially launching its Freenow service through a partnership with Belfast taxi operator FonaCAB.
The launch was announced on 8 October 2026, with bookings available across Belfast, Lisburn, Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus. The service also covers other areas served by FonaCAB, including Craigavon and Banbridge.
The arrangement integrates Freenow’s booking platform with FonaCAB’s existing dispatch operation, allowing customers using the international app to access taxis supplied through the local business.
FonaCAB operates a network of approximately 1,200 drivers and manages around 3,000 business accounts, according to figures provided by company spokesperson Stephen Anton to The Irish News.
Anton said the partnership was primarily designed to capture additional bookings from visitors, particularly passengers travelling from the Republic of Ireland who already use Freenow.
He explained that Lyft’s data had identified demand from visitors arriving in Northern Ireland and attempting to use the Freenow application to book transport.
The arrangement means those customers can access FonaCAB’s network without downloading another local taxi booking application. Existing FonaCAB customers can continue booking through the company’s own app and telephone service.
The application also supports digital payments through bank cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal. Passengers can access vehicle information and share journey details with other people.
Danny O’Gorman, Freenow by Lyft’s general manager for the UK and Ireland, described the Northern Ireland launch as another step in the company’s expansion across both markets.
Lyft’s wider international strategy includes allowing North American customers to use their existing Lyft application when travelling in European markets. That programme began rolling out in September, with further cities scheduled to become available during October.
The Northern Ireland partnership uses a different approach from establishing a new independent driver network. By connecting with FonaCAB’s existing dispatch system, Freenow can offer bookings through an established local operator.
