Didi-backed 'Taxify' set for battle with Transport for London

Regulators in London are urgently investigating the licences of Taxify, a new Uber rival.

Taxify cars [Photo: huanqiu.com]

It's been less than a week since the London launch of Taxify, an Estonian Uber rival which has received backing from China's Didi Chuxing.

Even in that short space of time, the company has already found itself in a controversial position.

Having recruited and trained 3,000 drivers in London, and officially launched services, there are now questions as to whether Taxify actually has a licence to operate in the city.

These have been raised by traditional black cab drivers in London, along with minicab companies, and as a result, Transport for London is said to be investigating Taxify as a matter of urgency.

For its part, Taxify has reassured the authority and riders that it is using the licence of an existing London minicab firm that it purchased.

Taxify is not alone in facing licencing issues amongst pioneering taxi firms in London. Both Uber and Addison Lee are currently operating on temporary extensions to their licences, pending final decisions from Transport for London.