Uber and partners Pony.ai and Verne map Manchester streets with safety drivers and no passengers as no operator has applied to run a service
Uber robotaxi testing has begun in Manchester, England, with a safety driver at the wheel and no passengers.Uber announced the trial on 14 October. Pony.ai supplies the self-driving cars, and Verne supplies the operating mmmework. Here is the TF tucks into the trial details, rules and the opposition.
What’s Happening & Why It Matters
The Trial
Uber’s cars are mapping streets in north-west England, according to Brit Brief. Taxi Point says the cars are Pony.ai seventh-generation vehicles. Uber calls the trial a first step toward making the technology available across the UK.
The reports give no vehicle count, route, service area, fare or passenger launch date. Pony.ai provides the driving system, Uber provides the booking platform, and Verne contributes experience running autonomous passenger services in Europe.
The Partners
Uber, Pony.ai and Verne already run Europe’s first autonomous taxi service in Zagreb, Croatia. An August 2026 agreement between Uber and Pony.ai targets more than 2,000 robotaxis across Europe. The deal adds four cities beyond Zagreb.
In London, Uber launched supervised passenger trips with Wayve on 3 September 2026, with a licensed driver on board. Uber announced earlier in October a plan to add Pony.ai cars to the London fleet. Uber expects robotaxi trips in up to 15 cities worldwide by the end of 2026. Most are in the US and the Middle East.
The Rules
No operator has applied to run passenger services in Manchester. Transport for Greater Manchester says the agency has seen interest and received no application for driverless taxis. The test cars run under a government permit from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency and the Department for Transport.
The UK is preparing wider operations under the Automated Vehicles Act 2024. A national pilot application process opened in May 2026 for taxi-style and bus-style services. The Department for Transport says driverless commercial pilots could start before the full regime arrives.
The Opposition
The GMB and ADCU unions warn thousands of driver jobs could go. They want support for affected drivers. A London Assembly transport committee report urged the government to hand cities control over autonomous taxis. The report seeks powers to cap vehicle numbers. The report cites doubts about claimed benefits and concerns over congestion, public transport, safeguarding and access for disabled passengers. The recommendations cover London and bind no one in Manchester.
My take: Manchester is a data-gathering stage. Uber needs mapped streets and local rules before an application. Local politics will decide the pace, and no council has yet said yes.
TF Summary: What’s Next
Uber has to file an application before any passenger trip. Transport for Greater Manchester has to set local rules for driverless taxis. The government has to name winners in its pilot process. Unions will press for driver protections.
MY FORECAST: Uber will file for a Manchester passenger pilot by mid-2027. The first trips will carry a safety driver. Local authorities will seek vehicle caps in their licensing. Pony.ai cars will start passenger service in London before Manchester.