Your Uber is on its way!

Tuesday 11 August 2015

The Uber transport app which has shaken up taxi services around the world could set up in Jersey as part of its ongoing expansion.

Since arriving in London in 2012, the service has spread to Leeds, Manchester, Bristol, Newcastle, Birmingham, Sheffield and Merseyside.

Already available in 58 countries and 300 cities around the world, you can use Uber in America, Europe, Asia and Australia. 

A spokesperson for Uber said: “Uber's ambition is to operate in every region - including the Channel Islands, however at this stage we don't have a set timeline.”

The app calculates fares using GPS to measure distance, with users paying automatically through the app by credit card or though Paypal upon arrival at their destination.

 In most cities there is a range of tariffs based on the type of car used. In London the base fare for an UberX is £2.50, plus £1.25 per mile; the UberExec is £4 plus £2.40 per mile and the UberLux is £5 plus £3.55 per mile.

At a Digital Jersey event in February, Senator Philip Ozouf gave his support for Uber coming to Jersey. He said: “I want to work with the TTS Minister to push for an Uber in Jersey.

“Uber and Uber-type apps are revolutionising the way people book and get personal transportation and most importantly, matching better demand and supply with constant quality assurance.”

Founded in 2009, Uber is valued at $50 billion and is supposed to be doubling its revenues every year. However, leaked documents imply the company lost $56 million in 2013, and in 2014 had a deficit of more than $160 million.

The company currently faces court action in the UK from drivers who belong to the GMB union, and a similar group action in California, over employee rights. Following a legal challenge from taxi drivers in France, last month, Uber suspended UberPop, the service which uses unlicensed drivers.

Although Uber is opening in one new city a month, it won't be arriving in Jersey at least until after the review of taxi regulations in September. 

A government spokesperson said: “There is due to be a taxi review due in September and this will include proposals for change.”