Uber is set to trial a ride-sharing service in Ireland as the company explores its options for rolling it out further

It’s likely a pilot of the service will be run in areas of the country currently suffering what Uber’s head of policy for EMEA Mark MacGann called a “transport desert”, predominantly the west and south of the country. Talks are ongoing with city councils to determine the final location.

“We will not be launching a product in Ireland called UberPop,” said Mr MacGann, adding there were too many negative connotations. But, he said “we will be bringing a ridesharing service to Ireland”.

Uber runs transport services in Ireland using PSV-licensed drivers, including its UberTaxi and UberBlack limo services. But Mr MacGann said that’s not really what Uber is about. The company, set up in San Francisco in 2009, signs up drivers to the platform if they pass a background check, allowing them to use their own cars and without being licensed taxi or limo drivers. It has also branched into food deliveries.

UberPop, which allows ordinary drivers to ride-share for money, has caused controversy throughout Europe, leading to protests from taxi drivers and has been banned in some countries.

The pilot will allow the company to demonstrate the benefits of a ride-sharing service to transport in underserved areas. “Benefits become tangible, not theoretical,” he said.

Although it was hoped to be up and running for Christmas, this looks unlikely, with a firm date yet to be announced.

There may be opposition too from Ireland’s taxi unions. It’s something Uber has dealt with before. “We’re certainly not the first start-up in history to come into a sector that’s so protected,” Mr MacGann said.

Uber platform

However, despite the opposition from taxi drivers in Europe, Mr MacGann said Uber grows the market rather than takes from the drivers, and the company’s real competition is the personal car.

Talks between the company and Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe have been reported in recent weeks. However, there is still some way to go before Irish drivers can sign themselves up for Uber’s planned service. Mr MacGann said any formal launch of such a service would require legislative change, similar to other locations such as New York.