Ola launch rival to Uber cab service
ANEW transport service, Ola, has launched its first UK service in south Wales to challenge market leader Uber.
The Indian ride-hailing app Ola also has plans to expand into Manchester before operating nationwide.
The company says it has launched in Cardiff, Newport and Vale of Glamorgan and says it is the only app offering both private hire vehicles (PHVs) and black cabs through “one consumerfriendly platform” in the UK.
They also pledge to “lead the industry” with its approach to passenger safety, including its screening of drivers and support services.
Ola UK managing director Ben Legg said: “This is an exciting moment for everyone at Ola and we are very pleased that south Wales is where we will be starting our UK journey.
“Over recent weeks, Ola has received positive feedback from drivers in south Wales and looks forward to providing passengers with a dynamic, new responsible service.
“We are determined to do a great job for the community and work closely with local authorities to help with their mobility goals.”
A member of the GMB Professional Driver Branch in Cardiff says they “welcome” another choice for drivers but are worried unlicensed vehicles will start to operate.
Paul O’Hara said: “We welcome another choice for drivers, and welcome the fact that they allow Hackney Carriage on their platform. The issue we have is they will operate along similar lines to Uber where they use “out of town” vehicles working in areas they are not licensed.
“At present there are nearly 2400 Hackney & Private Hire licenses issued by Cardiff County Council - that is more than enough to service a city the size of Cardiff. Add to that the several hundred “out of town” vehicles working in Cardiff and it makes every driver’s attempt to earn a living more difficult.
“What we want is an end to ‘cross border hiring’ so the only vehicles/ drivers working in the city are the ones licensed by the city, and we want individual councils the have the ability to cap the number of licenses issued.”
Ryan Owen, managing director of Dragon Taxis, said: “Competition is always welcome as long as it is controlled in terms of compliance and doesn’t result in an influx of out-oftown registered drivers, which pushes down income for those self-employed drivers who are loyal and local to the area.
“Having more out-of-town drivers could also result in consumers having to pay more for their fares as drivers won’t have the all-important local knowledge of the most efficient routes to take.”
Uber declined to comment on the Ola launch, but a spokesperson, said: “We operate in more than 40 towns and cities in the UK with more than five million active users and more than 60,000 licensed drivers.
“Globally the Uber app is available in more than 600 cities across 65 countries around the world, with around 15 million trips per day, more than 75 million active users and more than 3 million drivers.”