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Uber in fresh challenge to London’s black cabs with launch of wheelchair-accessible service

Global taxi firm Uber has launched UberWAV, its wheelchair-accessible service in London today (Tuesday), in what is being described as another blow to black cab drivers in the capital.

From an initial fleet of 55 vehicles, the company is looking to expand this number to over 100 wheelchair-accessible vehicles in the coming months, all fitted with access ramps, winches and restraints.

Uber estimates that wait times for its range of UberWAV vehicles will be significantly longer than a regular ride owing to the smaller fleet of available vehicles, with an estimated 25 minute wait in Central London and up to a 40 minute wait for those in Zones 3 and 4.

The move is a blow to London’s cabbies who have long argued that the lack of wheelchair-accessible Uber vehicles undermines the taxi firm’s offering, and justifies the continued higher prices charged by the capital’s black cabs.

Taking aim at London’s cabbies, Tom Elvidge, Uber’s General Manager in London, commented: “The launch of uberWAV is an important step forward in making convenient, safe and affordable transport available to everyone at the push of a button.”

“This new option will give wheelchair users an additional way of getting from A to B with fares on average 30% cheaper than black cabs.”

In facing up so boldly to London’s legion of black cab drivers, the US transport firm is likely to face more resistance from drivers who are finding their livelihoods undercut by the sheer size of Uber’s operation.

However, while some have applauded the fact that the firm has recognised the importance of accessible transport for those with special requirements, questions remain about the viability of a 55 car fleet and how convenient this might be for users.

Andrew Pinnington, Chief Executive Officer at taxi app rival Hailo, believes that Uber still has ’ a long way to go given there are many tens of thousands of minicabs in the city’ which already provide wheelchair-accessible transport.

He added: “Ensuring a fairly regulated Taxi and Private Hire ecosystem in London is essential to ensure that this unparalleled level of service is not compromised to the detriment of those who rely on it so heavily.”

The timing of UberWAV’s launch is an interesting one, coming days after the election of Sadiq Khan who, during campaigning, deemed it a ‘mistake’ that Transport for London had allowed Uber taxis to launch in the capital.

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