London cabbies Reject Free Uber Offer

Cabbies have rejected an offer from Uber which would allow them to use the taxi-hailing app for nothing for a year.

London cabbies

Uber presented the offer as an attempt to improve its relationship with London's cabbies.

But a cab drivers' association said it would be "amazed if any drivers decide to take up Uber's offer".

And rival Hailo described the offer as "posturing", saying it doubted the move would calm matters.

There has been friction between Uber and some cabbies, who have said the app is "unfair competition".

Uber said that from Tuesday, it would waive its 5% commission for black taxis for a year.

Jo Bertram, regional general manager of Uber in the UK, said: "London's cabs are famous the world over because they are an iconic part of our city's transport infrastructure.

"It's why the impact of apps like Uber on traditional taxis has generated such a heated debate in the capital.

"We believe that black cabs and Uber can coexist."

Ms Bertram said in a blog post that the Knowledge, which requires four years of study by aspiring black cab drivers to memorise London streets and landmarks, was "an onerous test" which could be completed more quickly in "the age of GPS and live traffic apps".