Vehicle Movement - Nationwide, Uber collaborates with taxi firms.
Uber, the ride-sharing platform, is now extending its services to all taxi operators across Germany. Prior to this, users could only book rides in 16 cities through Uber. Now, taxi drivers and car rental companies can be linked to Uber on a nationwide scale. This will provide companies with extra income opportunities without the requirement for monthly membership fees or long-term contracts, resulting in increased use and sales, as claimed by the company.
Uber has recently adapted its strategy worldwide. Earlier, Uber mainly supported the services of taxi competitors. However, the company is now trying to bring taxi operators and drivers to their platform. In cities like Berlin and Munich, taxis can already be booked through the Uber app. In Berlin, it's stated that nearly 20% of all taxis are working with Uber. In total, there are over 4,000 taxi drivers in Germany.
Improved order management
Christoph Weigler, the head of Uber in Germany, said that by allowing all taxi drivers in the country to access the Uber app, the company is signaling its intent to work with the taxi sector in Germany. "Taxis can also benefit from digitalization, increased customer acquisition, and the high demand on our platform," he remarked. The digital booking process has become commonplace. "The Uber app offers a convenient solution to connect taxi drivers with additional orders in a straightforward manner," explained Weigler.
With the new nationwide service, Uber is facing competition from conventional taxi dispatch centers that provide tours for taxi drivers. On the other hand, Uber's service also competes with platforms such as Bolt and Freenow, which mainly link passengers with services from rental car companies. The traditional taxi industry, such as the Berlin Taxi Association, has reported that these car rental companies fail to adhere to legal regulations and engage in fraud in some instances.
Uber highlights that it only collaborates with local, registered taxi and rental car companies that provide transportation services. "The drivers at our partner companies all hold a passenger transportation license and adhere to the necessary regulations for commercial passenger transport. Therefore, all journeys are fully insured," states Uber.
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Uber's expansion in Germany now allows mobility services from taxi firms and car rental companies on its nationwide platform, providing additional income opportunities for partners without membership fees or contracts. This strategy shift includes collaborating with taxi operators in cities like Berlin and Munich, where Uber is already popular, with over 20% of taxi drivers in Berlin using the service.
The Uber app simplifies order management for taxi drivers, connecting them with extra orders and digitalizing the booking process, thereby boosting customer acquisition and meeting the high demand on the platform. However, Uber faces competition from conventional taxi dispatch centers and platforms like Bolt and Freenow, which offer services from rental car companies.
Uber emphasizes its commitment to working with local, registered taxi and rental car companies that comply with regulations and ensure fully insured journeys, addressing concerns raised by the traditional taxi industry about fraudulent practices in the rental car sector. With this nationwide service, Uber aims to improve mobility and transportation in Germany, following the company's global strategy to collaborate more closely with the cab industry.
