Uber continues global expansion with launch in Israel

Displays the company logo screen for Uber Technologies Inc. On the day of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) IPO in New York, US, on May 10, 2019. REUTERS / Brendan McDermid / File Photo

JERUSALEM, July 5 (Reuters) – Uber Technologies Inc (UBER.N) said it is launching its platform in Israel by connecting to a national network of licensed taxis, as it continues to expand globally.

Thousands of taxi drivers – both independent and employed by companies – have already joined the service, which also includes ride-sharing available primarily to passengers in Israel’s two largest cities, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, it has been reported.

Uber, which operates in more than 70 countries and 10,000 cities globally, will compete locally with services such as Gett and Yango.

A previous attempt by Uber to operate in Israel was halted by a court in 2017. The Israeli Ministry of Transportation, the Taxi Drivers Syndicate and a competitor to recall taxis won after complaining that the US company employed drivers who lacked proper work permits and insurance.

“We want to use technology to transform taxi services, working with other public transportation services, into an alternative to the private car,” said Güni Noi, general manager of Uber Israel.

The partnership in Israel follows similar deals in Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, Turkey, South Korea and Hong Kong, as well as in New York and San Francisco. Read more The company said it wants to save every taxi on its app by 2025. READ MORE

(Reporting by Stephen Sher) Editing by Ari Rabinovitch

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