Uber Buys UK Taxi-Software Company as Rivals Seek to Take Share in London
August 06 2020 - 9:52AM
Dow Jones News
By Adam Clark
Uber Technologies Inc. on Thursday said it has agreed to buy a
British taxi-software provider to expand its reach across the U.K.,
even as it faces a battle to maintain its position in the prime
market of London.
Uber said it would buy Autocab, a U.K. provider of technology to
private-hire and taxi operators. Using Autocab's marketplace
platform, Uber users will be able to connect with local taxi
companies where the company doesn't currently operate.
The deal will extend Uber's presence to 170 regions in the U.K.
from around 40 towns and cities currently. No financial details
were disclosed.
"Autocab has worked successfully with taxi and private-hire
operators around the world for more than 30 years and Uber has a
lot to learn from their experience. We look forward to working with
the Autocab team to help local operators grow and provide drivers
with genuine earnings opportunities," Jamie Heywood, regional
manager for Uber in Northern & Eastern Europe, said.
The expansion comes as Uber remains locked in a legal battle to
be able to continue operating in London, after local authorities in
the capital chose not to renew its license. Uber is appealing the
decision and continues to operate in the city in the meantime.
Meanwhile, other operators are looking to build their own
position. India's Ola Cabs launched in London in February,
registering more than 25,000 drivers compared with Uber's 45,000,
adding to a line-up of European rivals including Bolt and
Kapten.
Ola in a separate announcement Thursday said it was partnering
with corporate-travel startup Gett to take advantage of a
resumption in business travel as the coronavirus pandemic eases.
Gett's corporate clients will have access to Ola's on-demand
services in London.
Write to Adam Clark at adam.clark@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
August 06, 2020 09:37 ET (13:37 GMT)
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