HOW DOES IT WORK? Uber’s ‘Local cab’ option provides a glimpse into UK Autocab partnership future
Earlier this week Uber announced its new product, ‘Local cab’, which will for the first time enable passengers to book a trip with a local taxi company via the Uber app.
The Local cab option will be the first time Autocab’s iGo network has been integrated onto the Uber platform since the two firms reached an acquisition agreement in August 2020.
The pilot provides the first glimpse into how the Uber and Autocab partnership might work moving forwards. According to sources, the integration has the potential to connect passengers with 80,000 private hire and taxi drivers in the UK.
But how does it work?
The user opens the Uber app the usual way and enters their trip details. They would then be asked to choose the Local Cab option from the drop down where an estimated price from a local cab operator is displayed.
If the user wishes to take up the option, Uber would then locate a local cab operator for the user to book with, and send them their contact details to help them complete the trip.
The local cab operator would then accept the booking and provide the trip. Cashless payment is made via the app as usual.
Uber say that whilst the booking is made with a local operator, the user will receive the driver and vehicle details in the Uber app as usual once the booking has been confirmed. The driver’s ETA and the local operator’s number are also provided, so the passenger can contact them if needed.
As part of the deal Uber will take a small service fee on each Local Cab trip.
