Uber launch Local Cab option in Birmingham and Lancashire teaming up with other operators

Uber has announced the launch of its Local Cab feature in a number of additional cities in the West Midlands and Lancashire, giving passengers the option to book trips with local operators via the Uber app.

Uber, which first launched in Birmingham in 2015, is now working with locally licensed operators to meet demand in the city. Passengers will be able to use Local Cab alongside regular-Uber operated options, including UberX, Exec, Comfort and Lux.

Local Cab trips will be passed to operators based around Birmingham to fulfil, and all subsequent customer support will be provided by them.

The arrival of Uber’s Local Cab product in Birmingham follows a series of previous launches in towns and cities across the UK, including in Manchester, Edinburgh and Peterborough.

Andy Cashmore, Director at XL Cars, West Bromwich, said: “We’re making it quicker and easier for people to get around Birmingham, connecting more passengers with taxi drivers via the Uber app.”

Greg Jonathan Caley, Director at ABC Cars, Wolverhampton, said: “The partnership with Uber is also enabling us to provide further job opportunities to our drivers and we hope it will attract new recruits to join our fleet.”

Mohammed Zaheer, Director at Ace Cars, said: “We look forward to making Local Cab available to the people of Birmingham. We feel that now, more than ever, a product like Local Cab is needed – with demand for taxis continuing to rise and passengers in need of more options.”

Shahzad Ali, Director at 247 Cars, Willenhall, said: “Partnering with Uber will provide more transport options to the local community, allowing them to easily book trips via taxi.”

Jamie Heywood, Uber’s Regional General Manager for Northern and Eastern Europe, said: “Birmingham will be among the first cities in England where riders can access both UberX and Local Cab in the same app. This will help maximise earnings opportunities for drivers while giving passengers in Birmingham more choice, meaning that everyone will benefit. We’re looking forward to launching Local Cab in more UK towns and cities soon.”

Passengers opening the Uber app in Blackpool, Lancashire and Preston can now also select the Local Cab option, alongside regular Uber options UberX and UberXL.

The four operators involved are Blacktax Radio Taxis in Blackpool, Ashton Allied Cabs in Preston, New City Taxis in Preston and Brownhill Corporate Hire.

Ian Hodgin, Director at Blacktax Radio Taxis, said: “Demand for taxis is continuing to rise in Lancashire, so the extension of Local Cab to more towns across the region has come at the right time, providing passengers with more reliable transport options.”

Jamie Heywood added: “We are thrilled to continue the expansion of Local Cab this month – rolling it out to more areas to better serve the people of Blackpool, Preston and Lancashire. These latest launches will not only provide passengers living across the region with greater choice when booking a ride, but will also help to maximise earnings opportunities for drivers.”