It has been announced that controversial taxi hailing company Uber has launched in Leeds today, despite ongoing disputes with traditional taxi firms.

The app called UberX, which will allow students in Yorkshire’s largest city to both book and pay for taxi journeys directly on a smart phone or tablet, became available for download earlier today.

According to Uber’s company website, once the app is downloaded, a customer can simply request a car with a simple touch of a button, and a taxi will be immediately dispatched to your location, using GPS-enabled maps via your smart phone.

On request, a photo of your driver, their name and their car registration will appear on the app, as well as the estimated cost of your journey.

Tom Elvidge, general manager for Uber Leeds has said: “Today, we’re able to respond to consumers with a safe, affordable and reliable addition to the transportation system in this city, all at the touch of a button.”

However, the company has faced strong criticism over the past year, with taxi firms across Europe arguing that the company is able to undercut them by avoiding licensing regulations designed to protect customers.

As well as black cab drivers staging a protest against Uber in London last summer, the app has been banned in several cities across Europe including Berlin and Hamburg.

Despite these set-backs, Uber have reassured passengers that all its drivers in the UK have passed the licensing authority’s background checks, are licensed by the relevant regulator and insured as private hire drivers.

Leeds becomes the third UK city where the app is available following successful launches in London and Manchester, and joins a list of more than 225 cities worldwide where Uber operates.

 

Greg Whitaker