Lyft Acquires Gett, Bolstering London Ground Transport

Lyft is significantly expanding its footprint in the United Kingdom's capital by acquiring Gett, a prominent app for London's iconic black cabs. This strategic move aims to integrate a substantial portion of the city's licensed taxi drivers onto the Lyft platform, bolstering its comprehensive ground transportation offering.

The transaction, anticipated to conclude in the coming weeks, will bring the majority of registered black cab drivers in Greater London under the Lyft umbrella. This integration is expected to nearly double the volume of rides facilitated by Lyft in London, encompassing a wider array of services from traditional black cabs and private hire vehicles to bicycles and executive car services. Following the acquisition, Gett's operational team will transition to what will be known as 'Freenow by Lyft'.

Matteo de Renzi, CEO of Gett, expressed optimism about the new chapter, stating, “We are delighted to start a new chapter for Gett operations in the UK with Lyft. I’m confident that under this new ownership, the team at Gett by Lyft will continue to reach new heights, for the benefit of all our customers, drivers, and partners.” This sentiment underscores the collaborative vision for the combined entity.

This acquisition aligns with broader trends observed across the European mobility sector in 2026. Recent funding rounds highlight significant investment in sustainable transport solutions, including electric vehicle technology, battery analytics, and autonomous driving platforms. For instance, Germany saw substantial capital injections into companies like Additive Drives (€25 million), HeyCharge (€2.5 million grant), and TWAICE (€24 million loan). In the UK, Wayve secured a substantial €1 billion for its autonomous driving AI, while GIN e-bikes raised €215k for its subscription service. These developments collectively paint a picture of a dynamic market focused on innovation and electrification.

Jeremy Bird, EVP of Global Growth at Lyft, emphasized the strategic importance of the deal: “With Gett, Lyft is expanding its coverage of London’s full ground transport ecosystem. This milestone reflects Lyft’s commitment to the London market and our belief in its long-term potential. Adding Gett to Lyft’s ecosystem positions Lyft as the leading app for London black cabs.” The acquisition positions Lyft to capture a significant share of the premium taxi market, leveraging the unique regulatory standing and driver expertise associated with London's black cabs.

Gett, established in 2010, boasts a strong presence, with approximately three-quarters of Transport for London (TfL) registered black cab drivers on its network, reporting average pick-up times of under four minutes in Central London. Notably, over half of the black cabs affiliated with Gett are zero-emission capable, aligning with growing environmental consciousness in urban transport. This acquisition complements Lyft's existing portfolio, which includes its acquisition of Freenow in mid-2025, its role in managing Santander Cycles, and upcoming autonomous ride testing in London with Baidu.

The integration of Gett supports Lyft's global growth strategy by deepening its market penetration in key urban centers and expanding into higher-value service segments. Thomas Zimmermann, CEO of Freenow by Lyft, highlighted the caliber of black cab drivers: “Those who drive black cabs are some of the world’s most qualified drivers. Drivers pass the world’s toughest taxi exam, learning 25,000 streets and 20,000 landmarks before being licensed. We are excited to welcome Gett into the Lyft ecosystem, strengthening our customer-centric black cab and private hire service for Londoners, passengers across the UK, and travelers worldwide.” This move positions Lyft as a comprehensive mobility provider, capable of offering both traditional and future-forward transportation solutions.