Popular ride-hailing service Uber will be expanding into Cambridge, Varsity has learned.

The news came after an advertisement for a job helping the service launch in the city was posted on networking site LinkedIn.

An Uber spokesperson confirmed to Varsity that the company had received a license from the City Council, and are now working to recruit a local team to support operations in Cambridge.

Uber allows customers to request a trip through their smartphones, which is then routed to ‘driver-partners’ who use their own cars.

The company provides services in 73 countries and over 450 cities. In the UK they operates in 20 towns and cities including London, Manchester and Edinburgh.

Uber has been subject to increasing scrutiny as it has grown. They have been accused by unions, and traditional cab firms, of undercutting wages and mistreating workers.

All the drivers who use Uber are licensed and insured for private hire by their local city council. This license includes the same background check that is required for black cabs and care-workers.

Uber drivers are technically self-employed, meaning they are not entitled to normal worker’s rights. Drivers can be ‘deactivated’ by Uber if they fail to meet standards.

The move follows the lead of competitor service, Gett, which expanded into the city in May of last year.

It remains to be seen how local taxi firms will respond to the news of Uber’s arrival. When Gett arrived in Cambridge, Rowhi Nemar – owner of CamCab Taxis – responded positively, saying: “I think this is fine as long at the company is using local taxi drivers. It is a useful tool for customers and it gives them more choice."

Earlier this year, CamCab launched its own application for hailing cabs after teaming up with Addison Lee, Europe’s largest minicab operator.

“With Cambridge being such an international city (and a big tourist draw)”, Uber’s spokesperson said, “there’s always a bit of a surprise when people realise we’re not already there.”

Reactions were mixed among students Varsity spoke to.

“I’m used to getting Panther here,” said one second-year student, who frequently uses Uber in London, “but if it’s cheaper than a taxi, I’ll use it.”

Others were less enthusiastic: “I don't really use taxi services in Cambridge because it's so compact,” said Sam, a Churchill student, “and [my college] has a set-up with a pre-existing taxi company I think, so I doubt I would.”

Henry, a Fitzwilliam student, said he wasn't likely to use Uber “because Cambridge isn't that big”.

A timeline or fixed date of launch are not currently available.