Ex-google executive to steer Uber rival in UK
ONE of India’s most successful technology start-ups – taxi-hailing app Ola – is targeting the UK by roping in Google’s former European head of operations to lead its launch.
Ola, which has arrived in Britain in an attempt to challenge the dominance of Uber, has appointed Ben Legg as UK managing director. Mr Legg was previously chief executive of Adknowledge, a digital advertising company. He was also formerly Google’s chief operating officer for Europe.
Ola, a Bangalore-based ride-hailing app, announced it was coming to the streets of the UK last week with launches in South Wales and Manchester. The app operates in a similar way to Uber. Passengers hail a taxi and pay through the app. Ola says it takes a smaller 5pc cut from drivers than Uber, which takes between 20pc and 25pc.
The Indian company has emerged as a serious rival to Uber in its home market. It has around $1.1bn (£860m) in backing from Japanese technology giant Softbank, which has also invested in Uber.
Ola has over 125m customers and operates in 110 cities, mostly in India. The UK is only Ola’s second international market after it launched in Australia earlier this year, signalling another international battle with Uber.
Ola will launch in Cardiff and Newport in South Wales. It is also planning to expand to Greater Manchester. Uber currently operates in both Cardiff and Manchester. Mr Legg said: “I, for one, don’t own a car and strongly believe that through innovative services like Ola, working in conjunction with local authorities, we can help to reduce traffic congestion and pollution.”
He added that Ola was “committed” to working with regulators to ensure a smooth launch.
Earlier this year, Uber was granted an extension to its licence to operate in London, having been threatened with suspension by regulator Transport for London.