Today, recently merged FREE NOW, the UK’s number one black cab app and Kapten, the UK’s number two ride-hailing firm, launch their combined service through a single app under the FREE NOW brand. Through the launch of the new app, FREE NOW has the fleet scale and the passenger base to become the number one market player with access to over 35,000 drivers using the app in London alone.
The merger has been undertaken to provide drivers with more passengers, deliver greater consumer convenience, and develop a fleet of sufficient size to compete directly with Uber. FREE NOW is already the largest licensed-taxi app in Europe, and the fastest-growing ride-hailing app in Latin America under the Beat brand – through today’s app launch, the firm seeks to challenge the number one position in the UK as well.
To access black cabs and private hire vehicles (PHVs) in one place, users simply need to update their existing FREE NOW app, download the FREE NOW app, or if they are existing Kapten users, they will be prompted to migrate within the app from today. Once complete, users will have access to London’s iconic black cabs and PHVs on demand through a single app, for the first time ever.
Today’s launch comes as the importance of taxis in getting the UK economy moving again and defining the future of transport for consumers and industry in the context of COVID-19 becomes ever clearer. Research conducted this month by FREE NOW found that 71% of Londoners will only feel comfortable returning to work if their employer provides a taxi or bike, while 40% expect their employer to subsidise some form of personal transport.
As well as black cabs and private hire vehicles, the firm is advising a number of London boroughs and local councils on the implementation of rental E-Scooters, and will be rolling-out its own E-Scooter rental service in the capital over the coming months, as it already has in a range of European cities.
In addition to its market-leading total fleet size, FREE NOW’s supply of electric vehicles in London is the largest among all ride-hailing apps in any city in Europe. Around 40% of the company’s black cab trips are already taken in an electric vehicle. The new app will also ensure iconic black cabs are available to a wider user base across the capital.
Mariusz Zabrocki, General Manager of FREE NOW UK, and leader of the new the joint business said:
“The events of the past few months, and the continued return to work in London and beyond, has reinforced the importance of black cabs and private hire vehicles in getting the country moving again. As a result of COVID-19, the transport sector has changed radically and we’re seeing increased demand for personal modes of transport.
“We’re ideally placed to offer customers a convenient, safe and efficient means of travel, whether for work or to see friends and family. Our new, merged offering is also going to support drivers by offering a much broader passenger base and increasing the pool of customers they have access to, which will ultimately mean more business, after what has been a particularly tough time for drivers.”
In London, this unique offering will give more choice and flexibility to passengers, by ensuring they can immediately book either black cabs or private hire vehicles depending on their location and needs.
Globally, FREE NOW is active in 17 markets with over 900,000 partner drivers and 40 million passengers. FREE NOW already offers a range of transport options across Poland, Germany and Portugal and aims to offer more in the UK in 2020.
