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Uber to launch ‘Local Cab’ pilot in Gloucester and Cheltenham

Passengers in Gloucester and Cheltenham will be able to book a trip with local operators via the Uber app.

·        With the new product, Local Cab, Uber will connect local operators to passengers.  

Uber has today announced that Gloucester and Cheltenham are the latest areas in which it is launching its new product, ‘Local Cab’. The Local Cab product will enable passengers in both locations to book a trip with a local taxi company via the Uber app.

Anyone opening the Uber app in these areas will see the ‘Local Cab’ option which will connect passengers to taxi firms Andy Cars in Gloucester, and Starline Taxis and A2B Taxis in Cheltenham. 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 almost 40,000 times per month in Gloucester and Cheltenham, passengers have not previously been able to book a ride via the Uber app.

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. 

Les Hawkins at Andy Cars and A2B Taxis said: “We’re delighted to be one of the first operators in the UK to pilot Local Cab. This will give the people of Gloucester and Cheltenham another way to book with us.”  

Leon Jackson at Starline Taxis said: “Anyone visiting either Cheltenham or Gloucester, 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 Gloucester and Cheltenham 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.”