Ride-sharing Uber Taxi app takes off in Greece

An innovative peer-to-peer application that gives smartphone owners the chance to hire a taxi through their phones has made its way to Greece.

Uber Taxi is connecting riders to drivers through apps and providing more business for drivers and more accessibility and information for riders. Through the app the rider can pick a location, see the route and know the cost of the trip before the request.

Founded in 2009, Uber is active today in 200 cities, rapidly expanding their global presence. In Attica, Uber Taxi will join Taxibeat and Taxiplon, two Greek ride-sharing services.

“Despite being two very good service providers, we believe Uber Taxi has certain offerings that will make it stand out. For example, it does not support transactions in cash. What’s more, we believe that the competition will benefit both drivers, who don’t only have to use our service, but also customers, who have an additional option,” Alexandre Droulers, head of Western Europe expansion for Uber, told Kathimerini daily.

According to Kathimerini, Droulers did not reveal the number of Greek drivers signed up for the service.

“Our aim is for the user to find a taxi within 2-3 minutes of the request,” he added.

The launch of Uber Taxi and Uber X has created controversy in several cities worldwide, where the service has been found to be illegal, creating unfair competition and lacking regulation and licensing.