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The Uber killer? Taxi comparison and booking app launches in Newcastle

Cab comparison and booking app Karhoo has launched in Newcastle today, providing some of the city’s more traditional taxi firms with a digital presence.

With San Francisco’s online transportation network Uber making significant strides in the city this year and last, hired transport in Newcastle has become somewhat of a disrupted marketplace.

Firms including Budget Taxis, Five Star Taxis, Walker Taxis, Street Cars Taxis, Redline Taxis and East Coast Taxis have signed up to the provider, where consumers can choose to book immediately or months in advance.

With these firms on board Karhoo believes it has access to 75 per cent of the taxi and private hire market in Newcastle.

The firm, which boasts a UK network of more than 120,000 cabs, says the app offers more choice, no surge pricing and a simple way to support local businesses.

Backed by the United Kingdom Trade Investment’s Global Entrepreneur Programme (GEP), the app is currently live in London, Nottingham, Manchester, Birmingham, Leicester, Derby, Bristol and Liverpool and will soon be available in Leeds, Stoke, Cardiff and Southampton.

Many fleets already on the app are reporting revenue increases of up to 30 per cent and are rehiring drivers to cope with the increased passenger demand.

Mohammed Suleman, (Sully) owner of Budget Taxis, said: “Karhoo is the app our industry has been waiting for. It gives drivers the chance of more work and gives customers, both existing and new, a simple way of booking a car for immediate pick up or for weeks or months ahead. It really levels the playing field for us.”

Eddy Binks, Manager of Budget Taxis in Newcastle, said: “We’re excited to partner with one of the fastest-growing apps in the UK and to work with the Karhoo team, who are real champions for taxis and private hire firms. Greater access to licensed, professional drivers and more work for our dedicated team means it’s a win for everyone.”

Karhoo describes itself as a vendor-neutral platform for licensed and accredited fleets that allows passengers to compare cabs by price, proximity and vehicle style.

Consumers can pre-book months in advance, choose immediate pick-up and make multiple bookings, giving local operators access to thousands more customers.

Daniel Ishag, CEO and Founder of Karhoo, says transparent pricing and no surge prices are tantamount to the app’s ethos.

Commenting on the app’s value, he said: “Whether you’re heading for a night out in Jesmond, a romantic walk along the Quayside or an escape from the city for fish and chips in Alnmouth, Karhoo can get you there and back with a tap on your smartphone.

“We are excited to bring Karhoo to Newcastle as the app gives greater choice and brings more jobs to the hard-working local cab firms in the North East’s famous city.”

Derek Goodwin, Head of UKTI GEP and Alpesh Patel, Dealmaker, GEP, added: “Karhoo is a great example of the type of tech company that the Global Entrepreneur Programme is designed to help – a great business that is growing quickly and has accessed advanced markets all over the world.”

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