Lyft has reached an agreement to purchase the UK operations of the taxi platform Gett as part of its expansion in London. Gett currently provides an app that includes 75 per cent of the black cabs in London. The company has established business relationships with various clients, including large corporations, historic venues, and public sector organisations.
The transaction is expected to be completed in the coming weeks. This acquisition will nearly double the volume of rides on the Lyft platform within London, which is currently the largest market for taxis and ride-hailing in Europe. The move adds to the current transport options offered by the firm, which include private hire vehicles, bicycles, and executive chauffeur services.
Lyft also owns Freenow and manages the bicycles and stations for Santander Cycles. Later this year, the firm intends to test autonomous rides in London in partnership with Baidu. Following the completion of the deal, the Gett team will move to Freenow by Lyft.
“Those who drive black cabs are some of the world’s most qualified drivers. Drivers pass the world’s toughest taxi exam, learning 25,000 streets and 20,000 landmarks before being licensed,” said Thomas Zimmermann, CEO of Freenow by Lyft. “We are excited to welcome Gett into the Lyft ecosystem, strengthening our customer-centric black cab and private hire service for Londoners, passengers across the UK, and travellers worldwide.”
Matteo de Renzi, CEO of Gett, added: “We are delighted to start a new chapter for Gett operations in the UK with Lyft. I’m confident that under this new ownership, the team at Gett by Lyft will continue to reach new heights, for the benefit of all our customers, drivers, and partners.”
Image source: Lyft
