A SYDNEY taxi company has become the first taxi fleet to connect with Uber, allowing it to receive Uber ride requests alongside its existing work.

Legion Cabs uses an innovative dispatch platform from UK taxi technology provider Autocab that provides its drivers with a new source of jobs, to improve use and efficiency while supporting fleet growth.

Legion Cabs CEO Kurt Murphy

Legion Cabs, which operates around 175 vehicles across Sydney, adopted Autocab technology in early 2024.

It now uses Autocab’s dispatch platform and iGo network of trip aggregators as part of its business.

Uber already has a taxi option in its app, allowing users to select this option in cases where it may be cheaper than Uber’s surge pricing, which is active in high demand locations and times.

The integration of Autocab with Uber represents the next phase of Legion’s investment, allowing its fleet to receive Uber ride requests alongside existing work, while maintaining its own brand, operations and customer base.

Autocab said that as a technology provider, it becomes the key connector between established national fleets and new mobility demand in Australia.

Legion Cabs CEO Kurt Murphy said in a statement that: “Since we began using Autocab’s technology, we’ve been able to streamline our business in ways that simply weren’t possible before.

“Now, with this new connection to Uber demand through Autocab, we’re able to truly progress our future growth plans.

Daniel Lopez, Uber ANZ

“Early testing shows drivers are already seeing benefits, and we expect the partnership to be a strong differentiator in attracting new drivers to the Legion fleet as the integration is fully rolled out.”

Uber Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) worked with both Autocab and Legion to deliver the integration.

Autocab estimates that taxi drivers using Uber can receive up to 20 per cent more trips through the platform, indicating the potential value for fleets equipped to participate.

Uber ANZ head of driver operations, Daniel Lopez, said: “This demonstrates how Uber, Autocab and independent taxi fleets can partner to achieve a more reliable service for riders, and new earning potential for drivers.

“It is a model we believe can drive growth for operators who embrace market-leading technology, like that from Autocab.”

Legion Cabs Staff