davieG Posted 19 November 2015 Share Posted 19 November 2015 Taxi-ordering app Uber has gone live in Leicester today. The company launched a service in the city at 4pm. Earlier this week the Mercury revealed the city council had given the firm the go-ahead to set up here. Uber is a cashless system enabling customers to book and pay for a private hire car directly through its app. Uber already operates in other UK cities including London, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham. It is largely cheaper than hackney taxis but has come under fire for its safety record. It has also been accused of exploiting its drivers. Uber however insists safety is its priority and its drivers have all passed an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, are licensed by the local authority and are fully insured as private hire drivers. Fouzan Ali, General Manager for Uber in Leicester, said: "Uber is transforming the way people get about their cities all over the UK. "At the push of a button people can get a ride which is convenient, safe and affordable. "We're delighted to bring Uber's service to Leicester. Over 30,000 people have already opened the app this year alone, so we know there is demand for the service in the city." The company has declined to say how many drivers it has recruited locally. Read more: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Taxi-app-Uber-launches-Leicester/story-28206949-detail/story.html#ixzz3rxJskMaw Follow us: @@leicester_Merc on Twitter | leicestermercury on Facebook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DB11 Posted 19 November 2015 Share Posted 19 November 2015 Tried to use it in Leeds and it was rubbish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fox92 Posted 19 November 2015 Share Posted 19 November 2015 Used it all time in Manchester when I was at Uni. It's alright, convenient enough, just launch the app and you get a taxi in 3 or 4 minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 19 November 2015 Share Posted 19 November 2015 Taxi-ordering app Uber has gone live in Leicester today. The company launched a service in the city at 4pm. Earlier this week the Mercury revealed the city council had given the firm the go-ahead to set up here. Uber is a cashless system enabling customers to book and pay for a private hire car directly through its app. Uber already operates in other UK cities including London, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham. It is largely cheaper than hackney taxis but has come under fire for its safety record. It has also been accused of exploiting its drivers. Uber however insists safety is its priority and its drivers have all passed an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, are licensed by the local authority and are fully insured as private hire drivers. Fouzan Ali, General Manager for Uber in Leicester, said: "Uber is transforming the way people get about their cities all over the UK. "At the push of a button people can get a ride which is convenient, safe and affordable. "We're delighted to bring Uber's service to Leicester. Over 30,000 people have already opened the app this year alone, so we know there is demand for the service in the city." The company has declined to say how many drivers it has recruited locally. Read more: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Taxi-app-Uber-launches-Leicester/story-28206949-detail/story.html#ixzz3rxJskMaw Follow us: @@leicester_Merc on Twitter | leicestermercury on Facebook good timing given the outdated rip off merchant black cabs are going on a go-slow through Leicester today. Wish they were forced out of the market. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thracian Posted 19 November 2015 Share Posted 19 November 2015 Taxi-ordering app Uber has gone live in Leicester today. The company launched a service in the city at 4pm. Earlier this week the Mercury revealed the city council had given the firm the go-ahead to set up here. Uber is a cashless system enabling customers to book and pay for a private hire car directly through its app. Uber already operates in other UK cities including London, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham. It is largely cheaper than hackney taxis but has come under fire for its safety record. It has also been accused of exploiting its drivers. Uber however insists safety is its priority and its drivers have all passed an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, are licensed by the local authority and are fully insured as private hire drivers. Fouzan Ali, General Manager for Uber in Leicester, said: "Uber is transforming the way people get about their cities all over the UK. "At the push of a button people can get a ride which is convenient, safe and affordable. "We're delighted to bring Uber's service to Leicester. Over 30,000 people have already opened the app this year alone, so we know there is demand for the service in the city." The company has declined to say how many drivers it has recruited locally. Read more: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Taxi-app-Uber-launches-Leicester/story-28206949-detail/story.html#ixzz3rxJskMaw Follow us: @@leicester_Merc on Twitter | leicestermercury on Facebook Taxis? Safe? I suppose the sun'll go down in the East tomorrow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramboacdc Posted 19 November 2015 Share Posted 19 November 2015 trying this now! EDIT: no cars available.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaelicFox Posted 19 November 2015 Share Posted 19 November 2015 Have registered to be an excutive driver bit of fun at weekends Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danno Posted 19 November 2015 Share Posted 19 November 2015 Use it in sheffield all the time it's really good actually. Left My wallet and my phone in one of the cabs and the guy came after his shift at 6 am to give it back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vicki Vixen Posted 19 November 2015 Share Posted 19 November 2015 Had to get from Wimbledon to Heathrow early mornings a couple of times and no Uber cars available either time. Won't try to use again and not pleased they now have my credit card details. If they can't provide a reliable service in London then chances are Leicester service won't be great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmt Posted 20 November 2015 Share Posted 20 November 2015 Tried to use it in Leeds and it was rubbish I live in Leeds. Way cheaper than competition, nearly always cars available and good drivers. Don't know why you found it 'rubbish'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozleicester Posted 20 November 2015 Share Posted 20 November 2015 Used this a few places around the world.. brilliant! If you want to use my code it gets you $10 discount on your trip (So, do I.... but not sure if it works internationally, but worth a shot) just put this code 9ph8r into the promotions code area and see if you get a discount? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kopfkino Posted 20 November 2015 Share Posted 20 November 2015 Much better than using the black cabs in London, I mean for a start most of the drivers aren't pricks and it's cheaper for a better service. Don't use it much down here cos wherever I need to go is easily walked or serviced by public transport. Doubt it will be worth using to get one from Leicester on nights out but it's nice when you see Leicester catch up with the rest of the world Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussie-fox Posted 20 November 2015 Share Posted 20 November 2015 Its a really popular service in Australia (by those who use it) but hated by the taxi service. Reason being that Uber is so much more reliable, safer, cheaper and user friendly. I love it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevosevic Posted 20 November 2015 Share Posted 20 November 2015 Used all around the world and they've been brilliant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egg_fried_rice Posted 20 November 2015 Share Posted 20 November 2015 Use it in Sheffield all the time, cheaper than cabs for sure. I'll get in on the ozleicester code dropping action if his doesn't work overseas - mattb8316ue will get you (and me) a free ride up to £10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haydos Posted 20 November 2015 Share Posted 20 November 2015 Had to get from Wimbledon to Heathrow early mornings a couple of times and no Uber cars available either time. Won't try to use again and not pleased they now have my credit card details. If they can't provide a reliable service in London then chances are Leicester service won't be great. It's a service provided by drivers who elect to do it so they don't schedule people to work at certain hours. If there wasn't any drivers available in the area at that time then that's unfortunate. Tbh you're only shooting yourself in the foot by having a sulk over it, it's a great option to have if there's drivers available. We have really busy nights in Sheffield and when tramlines was on for example people were waiting hours for taxis in the city centre in the rain and we had one in 2 minutes for about £3 extra. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vicki Vixen Posted 20 November 2015 Share Posted 20 November 2015 It's a service provided by drivers who elect to do it so they don't schedule people to work at certain hours. If there wasn't any drivers available in the area at that time then that's unfortunate. Tbh you're only shooting yourself in the foot by having a sulk over it, it's a great option to have if there's drivers available. We have really busy nights in Sheffield and when tramlines was on for example people were waiting hours for taxis in the city centre in the rain and we had one in 2 minutes for about £3 extra. Uber doesn't allow advance bookings (or at least it didn't when I tried to use it a few months ago). This was not the middle of the night, it was 6am on a Monday morning when thousands of people want to travel from London to Heathrow/Gatwick. If I need to be somewhere at a particular time, like at the airport to catch a flight, then Uber can't be relied on because I can't take the risk again of there being no drivers available. The supply and demand balance of providing a taxi service is hugely important. In future I will book a taxi using the traditional method, so I can be sure I get where I want to be on time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haydos Posted 20 November 2015 Share Posted 20 November 2015 Uber doesn't allow advance bookings (or at least it didn't when I tried to use it a few months ago). This was not the middle of the night, it was 6am on a Monday morning when thousands of people want to travel from London to Heathrow/Gatwick. If I need to be somewhere at a particular time, like at the airport to catch a flight, then Uber can't be relied on because I can't take the risk again of there being no drivers available. The supply and demand balance of providing a taxi service is hugely important. In future I will book a taxi using the traditional method, so I can be sure I get where I want to be on time. Okay, I think you're missing the point of it though. It's not really a taxi service, it's people giving you lifts for money if they fancy it. It's not meant to be relied on like you're suggesting and I'd guess you're not it's target market. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z-layrex Posted 20 November 2015 Share Posted 20 November 2015 Use all the time in London, it's amazing. **** regular taxi drivers, they've had their decades of ripping everyone off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z-layrex Posted 20 November 2015 Share Posted 20 November 2015 Uber doesn't allow advance bookings (or at least it didn't when I tried to use it a few months ago). This was not the middle of the night, it was 6am on a Monday morning when thousands of people want to travel from London to Heathrow/Gatwick. If I need to be somewhere at a particular time, like at the airport to catch a flight, then Uber can't be relied on because I can't take the risk again of there being no drivers available. The supply and demand balance of providing a taxi service is hugely important. In future I will book a taxi using the traditional method, so I can be sure I get where I want to be on time. Completey missing the point. Uber is for getting around a city when you can't be bothered with buses, it's too late in the night or you don't have time. For important things like flights of course book a regular taxi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Blur Posted 20 November 2015 Share Posted 20 November 2015 Had to get from Wimbledon to Heathrow early mornings a couple of times and no Uber cars available either time. Won't try to use again and not pleased they now have my credit card details. If they can't provide a reliable service in London then chances are Leicester service won't be great. It is at its best in central London where there is loads of drivers milling around for bookings. It is a hit and miss in Catford where I live but it is better if you want last minute pick ups in busy zones. Traditional taxis are better for advance bookings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vicki Vixen Posted 20 November 2015 Share Posted 20 November 2015 Completey missing the point. Uber is for getting around a city when you can't be bothered with buses, it's too late in the night or you don't have time. For important things like flights of course book a regular taxi. Got it now thanks, makes sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LutterworthLCFC Posted 23 November 2015 Share Posted 23 November 2015 Used it on Saturday night, normal taxi from town to home would be roughly £8/10, uber cost me £4.50 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rincewind Posted 23 November 2015 Share Posted 23 November 2015 I don't use taxis much but I do have one on a Thursday night. I go to an event at night which finishes around 11pm then go in the Western where I order a taxi. Comes in 5 minutes. Plenty available in that area and it costs £5-£6 so no point using Uber. I also live near the station and can get one there if I need to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian Joachim Jr Shabadoo Posted 23 November 2015 Share Posted 23 November 2015 If you're paying £5 for a taxi fare I have a feeling it's probably somewhere you could stagger to in 5 minutes anyway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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