Uber arrives in Birmingham

The operation – the first of its kind – sees customers download an app, which allows them to order a car directly from the nearest driver and get details of the estimated waiting time and journey cost.

There are no telephone calls to book a private cab as everything is done through the app in less than a few minutes.

GPS is used to put passengers in touch with the closest drivers to the pick-up location.

The second city has become the fourth in the UK to be targeted by the American firm which now operates in more than 50 countries.

But Uber hasn't been welcomed everywhere. Thousands of cabbies in London brought the capital to a standstill last summer as they protested against the smartphone app, along with the rise in unlicensed minicabs and rickshaws.

The app works out the cost of journeys and cab drivers say it is the same as using a taxi meter, which only black cabs are legally entitled to use.

Uber has also faced protests from other taxi firms in the past over its registration as a car-sharing business, meaning it does not face the same legislation and checks as taxis.

And the company was banned in New Delhi last year over rape allegations against one of its drivers. It has since added a panic button and tracking features to its taxi hailing app in India in response to the claims.

But San Francisco-based Uber insists it is the 'safest choice' for passengers because they will be able to know in advance who their driver will be for the journey.

Using the app, customers can also share their trip details with friends or family so that everyone knows their whereabouts - aimed at giving people peace of mind when they are travelling alone.

It launched for customers in Birmingham and Solihull yesterday with cars on offer including the Toyota Avensis, Volkswagen Touran and Peugeot Expert.

General manager for Birmingham Fouzan Ali said: "Even before you get into your car, you know who your driver will be.

"You see their name their photograph and their licence number. Before you get into the car you can share your trip details with your friends or family and they can see you on a live map travelling in the car. Uber is going to be the safest choice for riders in Birmingham."

The estimated cost of travelling from Birmingham city centre to the airport, a journey of around eight miles, is between £14 and £17.

While travelling from the Bullring to Edgbaston will set up back up to £6.

Mohammed Taj, of the Birmingham Black Cab Drivers' Association, said unlike in London, there were no plans for protests with drivers welcoming the competition.

Passengers are already taking advantage of Uber in Manchester and Leeds as well as a host of cities across Europe including Amsterdam, Paris and Madrid. In total the app is available in 280 cities across 54 countries