Get the biggest stories sent straight to your inbox Sign up for regular updates and breaking news from WalesOnline Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Uber has taken a step closer to launching in Cardiff.

The taxi app firm has been granted its operator licence by the city’s council. They now need to recruit drivers to be able to launch.

Uber is an app which allows passengers to connect with drivers through their smartphone.

It was revealed in June that they had started advertising jobs in the city .

But the company say they cannot give a date when passengers can expect the service to launch.

An Uber spokeswoman said: "In order to launch in a new city, Uber needs two things. The first is a licence to operate in the city and the second is a team on the ground to run the business. Uber has been granted an operator’s licence by Cardiff City Council but we are still recruiting for a local team. Only when we have a strong local team, can we look forward to being able to offer a safe, reliable and affordable choice for people in Cardiff."

What do you think? Write your comments in the box at the end of this story

How does Uber work?

Download the app to your mobile phone and set up an account, registering your card and contact details When you require a cab, you mark your location on the app via GPS Select a car (cars range from standard to luxury) You will be shown Uber drivers near to your location and an estimate of the cost of the journey You book the trip and are shown details of the driver including their name and picture and vehicle registration Your driver will arrive and you will be informed when it has Your credit card details are held on the app and payment is taken directly from this so you don't need cash. You'll be shown the total on the app You can rate your driver - and your driver can rate you. This will then show up during future journeys.

Uber currently operates in 15 cities in the UK

The “Bring Uber to Cardiff” Facebook group has more than 700 people.

poll loading Would you use Uber taxis if they were available in your hometown? 500+ VOTES SO FAR YES NO

Uber currently operates in 15 UK cities; London, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Newcastle, Sheffield, Bristol, Merseyside, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Nottingham, Portsmouth, Leicester and Belfast and parts of the Home Counties.

The spokeswoman said that all drivers on the Uber platform in the UK are licensed for private hire by the local authority and have met the local licensing requirements for both their driver and vehicle licensing, including an enhanced DBS check.

The company began advertising for staff in June last year. There has been opposition from Cardiff’s taxi drivers’ union.

The GMB has voiced its concern for the futures of its members , who they claim are likely to be priced out of business by the “disruptive app.”

The union began legal action in June on behalf of UK members driving for Uber who claim they are being denied rights normally afforded to workers as they are referred to as ‘partners’.