Uber to launch UK’s first ‘Local cab’ pilot in Plymouth

Passengers in Plymouth will be able to book a trip with local operator Need-A-Cab via the Uber app

Uber has today announced a pilot of its new product, ‘Local cab’, which will enable passengers to book a trip with a local taxi company via the Uber app in Plymouth.

Anyone opening the Uber app in Plymouth will see the ‘Local cab’ option which will connect passengers to the taxi firm Need-A-Cab. Users will have to download the latest version of the app to be able to see the Local cab product. 

Despite the Uber app being opened as many as 16,500 times per month in Plymouth, passengers have not previously been able to book a ride in a local cab.

To meet this demand, and enable use of the app beyond the 40 towns and cities Uber currently operates in in the UK, Uber is looking to work with local operators across the country. 

Dave McIntosh at Need-A-Cab, said: “We’re delighted to be the first local operator in the UK to pilot ‘Local cab.’ This will give the people of Plymouth another way to book with Need-A-Cab – and anyone visiting the city, that already uses the Uber app, will now find it easy to book a ride with a local operator. With the boost in passengers, we will also be looking to welcome new drivers to the company.”  

Ash Kebriti, UK General Manager, Uber, said: “Every month, we see thousands of people in towns and cities across the UK where we currently don’t operate open the Uber app and try to request a trip. Launching this pilot of Local cab in Plymouth is an exciting first step in connecting these riders with local operators so that eventually the Uber app can be used anywhere in the country.”