A new scheme means that people who call for an Uber in York might travel in a cab from a city taxi firm.
Uber has launched Local Cab in York, which gives passengers the option to book trips with a city operator via the Uber app.
Uber first launched in York in 2016, but lost their city licence in 2017.
However, Ubers from neighbouring authorities have been serving York residents ever since.
And now the company is working with city taxi firm 34 Cars Ltd – which runs York Cars from Blossom Street – to meet the high level of demand in the city.
Uber’s Local Cab trips will be passed to York Cars, and all subsequent customer support will be provided by them.
Director at 34 Cars Mohammed Iqbal said: “We look forward to making Local Cab available to the people of York.
“We feel that now, more than ever, a product like Local Cab is needed – with demand for taxis continuing to rise and passengers in need of more options.
“The partnership with Uber is also enabling us to provide further job opportunities to our drivers and we hope it will attract new recruits to join our fleet.”
Andrew Brem, general manager at Uber UK, said: “York is one of a growing number of cities in England where riders can access both UberX and Local Cab in the same app.
“This will help maximise earnings opportunities for drivers while giving passengers in York more choice, meaning that everyone will benefit.”
‘Faceless company’
York Private Hire Association has long campaigned against Uber in the city.
Chair Wendy Loveday said today: “Uber under any other name is still Uber.
“It is still a faceless company whose interests in its own eventual profits far outweigh its interest in public safety or drivers’ income, which, regardless of Uber’s many games of smoke and mirrors, is clear to the discerning reader with their shocking track record in and out of court.
“As for York Cars (34 Cars) slipping their hands into Uber’s hands, it makes no sense as basically they will be buying back the work that was rightfully theirs in the first place.
“We would like to know how it is even legal for a company that’s been found not fit and proper to hold a York licence to even sneakily try to operate through the back door.
“We’re also receiving reports from across the country that every operator that has switched the Uber Local on are losing their drivers by the dozen. We shall all just watch and see.”