LONDON, Nov 29 Reuters Uber will open up its platform to London39;s black cabs next year, the ridehailing firm said on Wednesday, trying to win over the British capital39;s taxis after a decade of tensions.

London39;s black cab drivers who have to pass a test called The Knowledge requiring them to memorise thousands of routes within the city have long been at loggerheads with Uber, arguing it threatens their livelihoods.

The new service offered by Uber, which will be rolled out in early 2024, will enable black cab drivers to sign up to the app to take booked journeys. The U.S.based giant is offering them a no commission deal for the first six months.

But a group representing the majority of black cab drivers dismissed the offer, saying there was no demand for it from members.

We have no interest in sullying the name of London39;s iconic, worldrenowned black cab trade by aligning it with Uber, it39;s poor safety record and everything else that comes with it, said Steve McNamara, general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association LTDA.

Black cabs, also known as Hackney carriages, are the only London vehicles that can pick up passengers from the street or taxi ranks in the city. They can also be booked through other apps.

In London, one of Uber39;s top five markets, the company wants taxi drivers to join its service as they have already done in Paris, New York and Rome. It says passengers and taxi drivers both benefit when the latter work with Uber.

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