Uber has been the reason for many protests lately. Not just with their drivers, but also the traditional cab drivers being upset that Uber is taking their customers – not just one or two customers, but a big percentage of them. Uber has even been banned from operating in a few cities throughout the world. Now, the company is looking to get along with black cab drivers in London, by offering them the ability to use the Uber app for free in the first year.
The main reason for Uber doing this, is to allow Black Cab drivers in London and around the city, to reach new customers. Ones that might not be on the sidewalk trying to hail a cab. This should turn out to be pretty helpful for these cab drivers, especially during the downtime, when there aren’t as many customers looking to hail a cab. They can just fire up the Uber app and start accepting jobs. Not only will they reach new customers, but they can also expand their customer base and hopefully bring in some more cash.
For customers, this is a great thing as well. As customers looking to take a black cab will be able to hail one from their phone and also pay electronically through their smartphone using the Uber app. Making things much more streamlines. Something that everyone can appreciate. For customers that are looking to get a black cab, just simply request an “UberTaxi” and one will be on the way soon. It’ll be a new option added to the Uber app for those in London. Sort of similar to the “People’s Uber” that Uber operates in a few cities in China. It’s cheaper (much cheaper actually) and works just fine for those in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, just to name a few.
Just recently, Uber redesigned their logo, as well as their branding. As they are looking to expand their business to other niches. They have already experimented with doing delivery, and in fact some cities they are still doing deliveries. It’s a pretty unique business, and one that’s likely going to thrive in the next few years, as long as they can find a way to get along with cab drivers in other cities and countries.