Estonia's Bolt, which until early 2019 was called Taxify, will on Tuesday re-enter the competitive London taxi market, promising cheaper rides to passengers and a better cut to drivers than its bigger global rival <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/uber-hit-with-australia-class-action-ahead-of-stock-listing-215549">Uber Technologies Inc</a>.

The move comes a month after Uber drivers in London joined a series of strikes to protest the disparity between gig-economy conditions and the massive $82 billion valuation at Uber's stock market debut.

"Uber is basically a monopoly. At the same time, an average Uber driver makes less than minimum wage," Bolt founder Markus Villig said.

Uber takes around 25 per cent from drivers using its app. Bolt promises to charge in London in first two months just 7.5 per cent and later 15 per cent, arguing happier drivers provide a better service.

Bolt, which has grabbed business from Uber in Central and Eastern Europe and major African cities, counts more than 25 million clients in 30 countries where it operates.

Bolt's first attempt to enter the London market was stopped by transport regulators who denied it a licence in 2017.

Bolt rebranded earlier in 2019 to ensure the ride-hailing service is not confused for taxis and to represent its widening offering - it has launched motorcycle services in Africa and scooter rentals in selected cities - but these are still small.

"The numbers, when compared to cars, are still negligible," Villig said.

Bolt last year raised $175 million in funding from a group led by German automaker Daimler to help its battle against Uber.

Estonia's Bolt, which until early 2019 was called Taxify, will on Tuesday re-enter the competitive London taxi market, promising cheaper rides to passengers and a better cut to drivers than its bigger global rival Uber Technologies Inc.

Estonia's Bolt, which until early 2019 was called Taxify, will on Tuesday re-enter the competitive London taxi market, promising cheaper rides to passengers and a better cut to drivers than its bigger global rival Uber Technologies Inc. The move comes a month after Uber drivers in London joined a series of strikes to protest the disparity between gig-economy conditions and the massive $82 billion valuation at Uber's stock market debut. "Uber is basically a monopoly. At the same time, an average Uber driver makes less than minimum wage," Bolt founder Markus Villig said. Uber takes around 25 per cent from drivers using its app. Bolt promises to charge in London in first two months just 7.5 per cent and later 15 per cent, arguing happier drivers provide a better service. Bolt, which has grabbed business from Uber in Central and Eastern Europe and major African cities, counts more than 25 million clients in 30 countries where it operates. Bolt's first attempt to enter the London market was stopped by transport regulators who denied it a licence in 2017. Bolt rebranded earlier in 2019 to ensure the ride-hailing service is not confused for taxis and to represent its widening offering - it has launched motorcycle services in Africa and scooter rentals in selected cities - but these are still small. "The numbers, when compared to cars, are still negligible," Villig said. Bolt last year raised $175 million in funding from a group led by German automaker Daimler to help its battle against Uber.

Bolt, Uber's European rival seeks to enter London market

London&#39;s taxis got the much-needed upgrade in the form of electric-powered cabs which were rolled out on the British capital&#39;s streets this week. The step has been taken in view of the high pollution levels in the city.

The new taxis are being hailed as the cleanest and most advanced cabs ever, and they maintain their classic look too like their predecessors. The new cabs have air conditioning, phone charging, power sockets for laptops, Wi-Fi, a panoramic roof and more spacious cabin with six seats.

&quot;It&#39;s a much more comfortable ride, it can take six passengers in the back much more comfortably. The handling is so much better, the noise is so much better, and you can charge your phone, your computer,&quot; said Chris Gubbey, CEO of London Electric Vehicle Company, the makers of these new cabs.

Although the upgrade to a new set of wheels will set back cabbies about 55,000 pounds, or roughly $74,000, Gubbey says it will also save about 100 pounds on average weekly fuel costs.

&quot;It&#39;s not a step up, it&#39;s a thousand steps up, it&#39;s a different world,&quot; said Pat Follen, who switched to one of the new vehicles after nearly 10 years driving older versions. &quot;All you can hear really is the tires on the tarmac - and the wind!&quot;

These new cabs will meet the strict new emissions regulations required for all new London taxis from 2018. The car&#39;s filter system works to remove gases and particles from the incoming air. It also has an in-built air quality sensor which automatically closes the external air intake if it detects increased levels of pollution in the outside air.

More than 9,000 electric taxis will be replacing the old diesel cabs by 2021 - that is around half the current fleet.

London currently has 57 charging points for these cabs and it take 35 minutes to fully charge these taxis. London Electric Vehicle Company plans to install 1000 more such charging points.

The company is looking beyond London. They plan to roll out 225 vehicles in Amsterdam as part of a transport service for the elderly and disabled. A second European location is in the pipeline, Gubbey added.

The company, formerly known as the London Taxi Company, expects to sell 10,000 vehicles a year by the turn of the decade, half of them outside Britain.

The new taxis are being hailed as the cleanest and most advanced cabs ever, and they maintain their classic look too like their predecessors.

London's taxis got the much-needed upgrade in the form of electric-powered cabs which were rolled out on the British capital's streets this week. The step has been taken in view of the high pollution levels in the city. The new taxis are being hailed as the cleanest and most advanced cabs ever, and they maintain their classic look too like their predecessors. The new cabs have air conditioning, phone charging, power sockets for laptops, Wi-Fi, a panoramic roof and more spacious cabin with six seats. "It's a much more comfortable ride, it can take six passengers in the back much more comfortably. The handling is so much better, the noise is so much better, and you can charge your phone, your computer," said Chris Gubbey, CEO of London Electric Vehicle Company, the makers of these new cabs. Although the upgrade to a new set of wheels will set back cabbies about 55,000 pounds, or roughly $74,000, Gubbey says it will also save about 100 pounds on average weekly fuel costs. "It's not a step up, it's a thousand steps up, it's a different world," said Pat Follen, who switched to one of the new vehicles after nearly 10 years driving older versions. "All you can hear really is the tires on the tarmac - and the wind!" These new cabs will meet the strict new emissions regulations required for all new London taxis from 2018. The car's filter system works to remove gases and particles from the incoming air. It also has an in-built air quality sensor which automatically closes the external air intake if it detects increased levels of pollution in the outside air. More than 9,000 electric taxis will be replacing the old diesel cabs by 2021 - that is around half the current fleet. London currently has 57 charging points for these cabs and it take 35 minutes to fully charge these taxis. London Electric Vehicle Company plans to install 1000 more such charging points. The company is looking beyond London. They plan to roll out 225 vehicles in Amsterdam as part of a transport service for the elderly and disabled. A second European location is in the pipeline, Gubbey added. The company, formerly known as the London Taxi Company, expects to sell 10,000 vehicles a year by the turn of the decade, half of them outside Britain.

London's black cabs turn green as electric-powered taxis hit roads

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Bolt, Uber's European rival seeks to enter London market

London's black cabs turn green as electric-powered taxis hit roads