Key Information
Taxi Option
Uber Taxi offers certified taxi cabs through its app, providing the familiar Uber convenience with traditional taxi services.
Simple Payment
Pay for Uber Taxi rides just like any other Uber service—cashlessly through the app, with fares including a booking fee and gratuity.
Select Availability
Uber Taxi is available in select cities, offering another convenient, safe, and reliable transportation option within the Uber ecosystem.
Ownership Variety
While Uber owns the service, taxis are owned individually or by taxi companies, ensuring a wide range of vehicles and operators.
What is Uber Taxi?
Uber Taxi is a service by Uber that connects riders with licensed taxi drivers through the Uber app. Unlike typical Uber services that use personal vehicles, Uber Taxi utilizes the existing taxi infrastructure, allowing riders to hail certified cabs.
This service merges the convenience of Uber’s cashless payment and vehicle tracking with the reliability of traditional taxis, providing an alternative for users in cities where it operates, and adhering to local regulations affecting rideshare services.
It’s designed for those who prefer taxis or when they are the most accessible option, particularly in markets where Uber’s standard services face regulatory challenges.
Related: List of ridesharing companies available to customers
How Does Uber Taxi Work?
Uber Taxi operates much like it’s similar services UberX, UberXL, or Uber Black – however, it uniquely connects riders with licensed taxis, not rideshare drivers.
Available in roughly 20 cities, users can simply select the Uber Taxi option within the Uber app to book a ride.
This specialized service offers all the familiar Uber app features, including the ability to estimate fares, track the driver’s route in real-time, and receive notifications throughout the journey.
As long as you have an active Uber account with a payment method, you have everything you need to hail a taxi with Uber.
How to Get an Uber Taxi Ride
Step-by-Step Guide to Using Uber Taxi
1. Open the Uber App
Ensure you have an active Uber account linked to a payment method.
2. Select Your Ride
- Tap to order a pickup.
- Scroll through the options and choose Uber Taxi if available.
3. Match with a Driver
- Once selected, the app will match you with a taxi driver.
- You’ll see the driver’s details and ETA.
4. Ride and Pay
- When your taxi arrives, confirm it’s the correct vehicle and driver.
- Enjoy your ride.
- Payment is cashless, charged to your preferred method on the app.
- If you encounter any issues, use the ‘Help’ feature in the app for support.
Using Uber Taxi Without the App
Access Through the Website:
- Visit the Uber website and log in.
- Select the Uber Taxi service.
- Similar to the app, you can track your taxi and ride details online.
Can I Call an Uber Taxi Without the Uber App?
It is entirely possible to request an Uber ride without a smartphone. With Uber, you’re able to request rides from both the app and the website.
If you’d rather use the website, make sure that you log in first. By doing this, you’ll make sure you’re looking at all the options available for your city.
Once you log in, select the Uber taxi service and hail a cab. You’ll be able to see the same kind of information you would get in the app, including trip status and driver location.
Can I Schedule an Uber Taxi in Advance?
Uber allows you to schedule rides, including taxis, up to 30 days ahead.
By integrating traditional taxi services into its digital platform, Uber Taxi offers a familiar experience with the convenience of modern technology. Whether you’re using the app or website, Uber ensures that catching a taxi is seamless and straightforward.
How Do You Pay for an Uber Taxi?
You’ll be able to pay for a taxi with Uber in the same way as you would pay for any other Uber service. Once you have a payment option selected for the ride, you’ll be automatically charged at the end of the ride without having to exchange cash.
Uber Taxi has its cost broken down based on 3 different factors:
- Set flat rates that will depend on minimum fees and surge pricing in your area
- A $1 or $2 booking fee
- A 20% gratuity
Because actual prices will change with geography, it’s difficult to give sample rider prices for using the service. However, riders will be able to use various discounts related to current Uber promotions that they may have, just like with other Uber services.
Promotional codes, coupons, and other payment options will work with Uber Taxi.
You won’t have to worry about exchanging cash or swiping a card if you don’t want to. Uber allows for a stress-free, cashless transaction at the end of the ride.
This transaction is done automatically in the app, so you’ll be able to leave the car as soon as you get to where you’re going.
Where is Uber Taxi Available?
Right now, Uber Taxi is not a widely available service.
Much like regular taxi services, it’s only available in medium to large-sized cities.
Even then, not all cities can accommodate the service.
Here’s a list of some of the cities where you can find Uber taxis:
- London, England
- Chicago, Illinois
- Seoul, South Korea
- New York City, New York
Like with all of its services Uber is constantly trying to expand its services.
So, you can always check back in the Uber app or the Uber website to see if they are rolling out any new taxi services in your area.
Uber Taxi vs Cab
The Uber vs taxi debate is going strong, even today.
Both the Uber Taxi service and local cab companies are similar in a lot of ways.
Both of these services offer taxis that you can use to get in-between places and offer set metered rates for the trip.
Local cab companies and Uber also go out of their way to check their drivers between background checks and driving records.
The main difference between these two options will come down to pricing and convenience.
Because Uber has a unified app that you can use wherever, it can be easier to snag a ride than with a local company, especially if that company is suffering from a driver shortage.
Local taxi companies require either a phone call or flagging down a cab on the road.
However, pricing for both Uber and local companies changes between cities.
You’ll have to look into local pricing and see which has the cheaper option.
Who Owns Uber Taxi?
The actual service of Uber Taxi is owned by Uber, the popular ride-sharing company.
When you hail a cab using Uber Taxi, you can do so with the Uber app.
All of the same features that you expect from Uber, such as a cashless payment system and vehicle tracking, are all there as well.
However, the taxis that are used by the service will have different ownerships.
Some of these taxis will be owned by the drivers themselves.
Others will be owned by taxi companies and the cabs are on lease to the drivers.
Much like with the other ride-sharing options that are offered, the point of this separation is to make getting a driver easier and reduce overhead for Uber.
In a way, Uber acts as a taxi dispatcher with its Uber Taxi option.
How to Join Uber Taxi as a Driver
One of the big benefits of becoming an Uber Taxi driver is that license cabs can be allowed into areas where Uber’s other services aren’t.
If a driver doesn’t want to work for a local cab company, Uber becomes a much more desirable choice.
Becoming a taxi driver for Uber is very similar to becoming a driver for Uber itself.
You’ll go to the same background track and driving history review that all of Uber’s other drivers have to do.
The main difference with the Uber taxi service is that you also have to follow whatever regulations surround cab drivers in the city you want to work in.
As long as you can pass both the cities and Uber’s requirements, you’ll be set up as a taxi driver and on the road in no time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Because Uber Taxi is not a widely known service, there are a lot of questions about it.
Here are some of the common questions out there about Uber’s taxi service:
Is Uber cheaper than a cab?
Uber has the potential to be cheaper than a cab because Uber always offers a set metered rate.
However, the cheapest option will depend on where you’re located and if you need a ride during high-volume times.
Are Uber Taxis safe?
Uber taxis are just as safe as any other taxi service.
Uber goes out of its way to see that its taxi drivers are safe drivers and responsible people.
Plus, the vehicles used are registered and meet local regulations.
Are Uber Taxis reliable?
Uber taxis are just as reliable, if not more reliable than local taxi services.
The Uber app does its best to match you with a driver fast.
You’re able to get frequent updates about where your driver is and how long it’ll take to get to you.
Are Uber Taxis still running during COVID-19?
While the pandemic did a lot of damage to ride-sharing and other communal services, Uber is still running its transportation services.
Uber drivers go out of their way to meet local COVID-19 restrictions guidelines to make sure that they drive people safely and responsibly.
Are Uber Taxis VAT registered?
Drivers for Uber Taxi don’t have to receive a VAT register unless they make over £85000 in a year.
Since most drivers will not learn that in a year, most of the drivers for Uber Taxi do not have this registration.
Wrapping Up
The Uber taxi service brings the options of a cab to Uber’s suite of services.
For some, hailing a cab is much more desirable than getting into someone else’s vehicle.
Although not offered in many places, Uber Taxi allows you to get into a certified cab without flagging down a local cab.
Because both local cab companies and Uber Taxi are comparable in many ways, the best option will be the one that offers you the most safety and the best price.
