Uber Expands to Barrow-in-Furness and Ulverston Amid Mixed Reactions

Uber, the global ride-hailing company, has officially launched its services in Barrow-in-Furness and Ulverston, marking a significant expansion in Cumbria. Despite Uber’s presence in over 70 countries and 10,000 cities, the rural nature of Cumbria previously limited its availability, leaving residents and visitors reliant on local taxi firms.

The introduction of Uber in these areas follows a previous attempt in 2021, when users in Windermere and Kendal could book taxis through the Uber app, though the rides were operated by local firms rather than Uber itself. More recently, in 2023, ‘Appy Cabs’ was launched in Barrow to address local taxi demand.

Mixed Reactions from Residents and Businesses

The arrival of Uber has sparked a variety of responses from locals and business representatives. While some welcome the move as a solution to unreliable local taxi services, others are concerned about its impact on small businesses.

Suzanne Caldwell of Cumbria Chamber commented:

"The arrival of Uber was I suppose inevitable. To be honest I’m not sure whether it’s a good or a bad thing – there are a number of pros and cons. Certainly, many people find Uber really convenient, especially if they’re used to using it elsewhere. Anecdotally, there does seem to have been some reduction in availability of taxis so if this increases the numbers then that should be a good thing for users - but there’s also the impact on existing local businesses to consider."

Online commenters expressed mixed opinions:

One resident stated:

"About time, really difficult to get taxis that actually turn up every time we visit."

Another added:

"Local taxis charges are unbelievable. So this is great."

However, some locals voiced concern over the effect on independent taxi firms. One commenter wrote:

"Doing local lads out off a job no it not a good idea."

Future of the Taxi Industry in Cumbria

With Uber now available in Barrow and Ulverston, the region's taxi industry faces a shift in competition and customer preferences. Whether Uber’s presence will improve transportation reliability or negatively impact local businesses remains uncertain.