UBER BLACK CAB: Uber sets sights on ramping up London black taxi offering this year

Uber is ramping up efforts to increase the presence of London’s iconic black cabs on its app in the year ahead.
The latest push seeks to build on the momentum gained since the service launched earlier in 2024. With January marking a traditionally quieter period for the taxi trade, the push aims to encourage more drivers to join the platform and capitalise on growing demand.
Since the introduction of black cabs to Uber, tens of thousands of trips have been booked through the app. Over a quarter of these rides were made by visitors from approximately 100 different countries, highlighting the international appeal of London’s iconic taxi service, said Andrew Brem, Uber’s UK General Manager.
Currently, more than 500 cab drivers are using Uber to supplement their earnings. According to Brem, those completing more than ten trips a week are earning an average of £700 per week through the platform. These numbers are expected to grow significantly as Uber plans to expand access to the black cab service to more passengers across the capital next year.
One key area of focus will be corporate accounts. Uber believes businesses will increasingly rely on the reliability and professionalism of black cabs for their transportation needs. Additionally, a forthcoming reservation feature
will allow passengers to pre-book black cabs, a move designed to increase convenience and appeal to a wider audience.
However, the success of these initiatives hinges on the availability of black cab drivers on the platform. Brem stressed that more drivers are needed to meet rising demand and improve the experience for passengers. Brem said: “We haven’t made this product available to every passenger in the capital yet, so this number is only going to grow this year, especially from corporate accounts or a new change which is coming that will allow passengers to reserve a Black Cab.
“However we obviously want to increase the number of cabbies on the app to keep making these improvements for passengers.
“There are millions of passengers who use other products on the Uber app who may not usually use black cabs that we are excited to introduce to this iconic service too. Cabbies can use the Uber app as a means of connecting to those new passengers who have spent the last ten years plus using Uber.”
Brem also sought to address concerns among some drivers regarding the ongoing class action lawsuit against Uber. The legal action alleges wrongdoing by the company between 2012 and 2018, and some members of the taxi trade have expressed hesitation about joining the platform due to fears of jeopardising their participation in the claim.
Brem reassured drivers that signing up to Uber now will have no impact on their ability to partake in the lawsuit or receive any potential damages.
Brem said: I’m obviously aware of the class action against Uber which alleges wrongdoing by Uber between June 2012 and March 2018. I understand that it is being supported by some people in the trade, and I’m hearing some questions from cabbies about whether signing up with Uber now will impact their ability to continue partaking in that claim.
“It absolutely won’t impact cabbies as this is a claim which dates only from 2012 to 2018. Any cabbies are free to sign up to drive with Uber without any legal ramifications. It won’t impact their ability to participate in the claim or receive any potential damages, I want to make that really clear, so I hope they continue to sign up.”