Uber was busy as soon as it came to Hamilton, driver Abbas Gumar said.

It's been almost a year since Uber graced Hamilton with cashless rides, private drivers and takeaways delivered to the front door.

And it's passengers hitching rides from Sevens, the Waikato Hospital and getting around on the weekend that are providing ample business for the global giant.

But its popularity has proved a challenge for traditional taxi services.

"[Uber] has impacted us, particularly with the hail market on Friday and Saturday nights," Hamilton Taxis general manager Andy Collins said.

"But that is no surprise to us."

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DOMINICO ZAPATA/STUFF Abbas Gumar says Hamiltonians seem to love the Uber service.

The number of Hamilton-based passengers taking regular Uber trips has steadily increased over the past year, NZ manager Amanda Gilmore said.

In fact, one passenger clocked up 492 Uber trips in 2018.

In December, Uber announced a partnership with the Hamilton Airport, to the disdain of taxi companies.

"We've also seen a number of local businesses sign up to use Uber for Business as a way to reduce corporate travel costs both at home and away," Gilmore said.

But the city's most popular pick-up spot is Waikato Hospital.

Silly season celebrations boosted the number of rides, too, with December 15 proving the busiest day of the year.

CHRISTEL YARDLEY/STUFF Hamilton Taxis general manager Andy Collins said Uber had impacted them, especially on a Friday and Saturday night, but they would survive.

"Our focus in 2019 will be continuing to offer Hamilton locals and visitors a reliable and safe way to get around at the touch of a button, and supporting the major events that draw additional punters and put strain on the local transport infrastructure."

Hamilton driver Abbas Gumar joined Uber as soon as it came to Hamilton, although he still does occasional taxi work for some of his regulars.

From the first day it was flat out, the smiley driver said.

"Most of the people were very happy about Uber. They love it."

Hamilton passengers are pretty friendly, too, even the drunk Saturday night crowd from the CBD.

They're usually especially funny and friendly, Gumar said.

There's the occasional odd encounter - like recently, when a drunk man insisted on one cent change.

"But most of them are very very good people."

He thinks Uber - which he sees as cheaper, easier and more convenient - might end up killing the taxi business.

It's an added bonus that drivers don't have to worry about passengers rushing out of the car without paying.

But Collins said there was still a place for traditional taxis.

With professional drivers, 62 years in the business and a solid client base, Hamilton Taxis will "absolutely" survive Uber being around, he said.

Government departments and regular clients still rely on the service, Collins said. The company's app make it easier for smart-phone users, too.

"You work smarter."

And the taxis don't have surge prices, so at some points of the day, a taxi is cheaper, he said.

"You hear horror stories," Collins said, recalling a man telling him he's paid a $65 fare for a trip from the CBD to Huntington.

Compliance costs are expensive for established taxi companies, Collins said.

"It's supposed to be a level-playing field but it's not."