Uber has began acquisition of its biggest rival in the UK, Autocab operating a ride booking application for the independent minicab companies up and down the country.
Uber currently only operates in 40 towns and cities in the UK, however Autocab has access to over 75,000 vehicles up and down the country.
The company Autocab started as a radio supply company, however started developing the app iGo for taxi companies to centralise their bookings.
The application is currently used by half of the private hire and taxi market in the UK, therefore expanding Ubers control.
Uber has said that following the acquisition they will be available in 170 towns and cities in the UK, which is a major boost.
When a passenger arrives in a town with no Uber drivers the application will seamlessly revert to iGo and allow them to still hail a ride.
“Through Autocab’s iGo marketplace, Uber will be able to connect these riders with local operators who choose to take their booking,” the company said in a blog post.
“In turn, operators should be able to expand their operations and offer more earnings opportunities to local drivers.”
This is following a very difficult year for Uber due to the COVID-19 pandemic, where its been impossible to use taxis or ride hailing services without extenuating circumstances.
However, Uber has seen deliveries rise during this period, one thing is for certain driverless flying cars certainly would have helped the company out right now.
