The controversial Uber app, which allows passengers to hire taxis through their smartphones, has landed in Tyneside.
The firm has announced that customers will be able to book a cab from their mobiles phones from 4pm on Friday afternoon, 17th April.
In a bid to promote the service to canny travellers, bosses at the multi-billion dollar company are offering customers their first journey for free.
Speaking of the move, Tom Elvidge, Uber’s general manager for Yorkshire and the North East, said: “Uber has been embraced by riders and drivers in every city it has opened in, and we’re sure Newcastle will be no different.”
Competiton
The firm is launching in Newcastle with its cheapest service, UberX, which has already been introduced in London, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham and Wakefield.
Mr Elvidge claimed fares for standard, four seat, taxis will be “five to 10% below the competition” with UberX.
He also said the firm’s arrival would create jobs in the city, though the total number depends on how successful the service proves.
If figures quoted by the company are to be believed it would seem it’s already popular with Newcastle residents as Uber claims the app has already been downloaded over 30,000 times in the Newcastle area in the last six months.
Protests
There have been protests around the world by members of the cab trade against the start-up. When launched in London, black-cab drivers brought parts of the city to a standstill with a mass protest against the service.
The main argument from British drivers being that the firm is operating as a taxi company and should be subject to the appropriate regulations.
Only time will tell how the company will fare in the North East.