Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Indian ride-hailing firm Ola ramps up Uber battle by starting operations in UK

Indian ride-hailing company Ola began operating in south Wales on Monday (20) ahead of a planned expansion across Britain by the end of the year, intensifying its battle with US rival Uber.

Britain is Ola's second venture into a foreign market after it started operations in Australia in February.


Unlike Uber, the company offers customers the option of private hire vehicles and taxis on one platform.

Ola "looks forward to providing passengers with a dynamic, new responsible service," Ben Legg, managing director of Ola UK, said in a statement.

Legg emphasised Ola's screening processes for drivers and safety features such as 24/7 voice support and an option to share ride details with emergency contacts.

Ola was launched in 2011 and claims to handle around a billion rides a year across India's major centres and seven cities in Australia.

Ride-hailing apps are booming in India despite stiff opposition from traditional taxi firms and some initial concerns about passenger safety.

Ola and Uber are locked in an aggressive fight for a greater share of India's taxi-app market, which is estimated to be worth around $10 billion.

More For You

Nirmala-Sitharaman-Getty

India's finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will deliver the budget speech on Saturday. (Photo: Getty Images)

What to expect from India's budget

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi's government will present the annual budget on 1 February, with a focus on economic growth, job creation, and trade policies amid global uncertainties.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will deliver the budget speech.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ambanis-Getty

Billionaire businessman Mukesh Ambani with his wife and founder chairperson of the Reliance Foundation Nita Ambani during the wedding reception ceremony of actor Amir Khan's daughter, Ira Khan on January 13, 2024. (Photo: Getty Images)

Ambanis set to acquire minority stake in Hundred’s Oval Invincibles

THE OWNERS of the Indian Premier League (IPL) team Mumbai Indians have reportedly secured a deal to acquire a 49 per cent stake in Oval Invincibles, a franchise in England’s Hundred competition.

Reports on Thursday stated that Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), which owns Mumbai Indians, emerged as the successful bidder.

Keep ReadingShow less
Lupa Foods CEO hails royal warrant as a mark of trust

Manish Mandavia

Lupa Foods CEO hails royal warrant as a mark of trust

THE Asian CEO of a UK-based food company with a royal warrant described the accolade as a “great sign of confidence” in its values.

Lupa Foods first received the royal warrant from Queen Elizabeth in 2001.

Keep ReadingShow less
Labour announces pension reforms to rewire economy

Sir Keir Starmer and chancellor Rachel Reeves meet business leaders in central London on Tuesday (28)

Labour announces pension reforms to rewire economy

PRIME MINISTER Sir Keir Starmer and chancellor Rachel Reeves met business leaders on Tuesday (28) to announce pension sector reforms that they hope will boost economic growth and investment.

Starmer and Reeves held the meeting in London’s finance centre with leading chief executives including Lloyds Banking Group’s Charlie Nunn, BT’s Allison Kirkby, Tesco’s Ken Murphy and BAE Systems’ Charles Woodburn, the government said.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rachel-Reeves-Getty

'I can confirm today that this government supports a third runway at Heathrow and is inviting proposals to be brought forward by the summer,' Reeves said in a speech. (Photo: Getty Images)

Government backs Heathrow’s third runway for economic growth

THE GOVERNMENT has announced its support for a third runway at Heathrow Airport, with chancellor Rachel Reeves stating that the expansion would drive economic growth while aligning with climate commitments.

"I can confirm today that this government supports a third runway at Heathrow and is inviting proposals to be brought forward by the summer," Reeves said in a speech, adding that the project "would unlock growth."

Keep ReadingShow less