Wow ..... how damned weird, Chrys !!!
A few of us had a day and night in Manchester yesterday, drinking and taking in a theatre show. Due to the poor weather, I said to my wife about trying 'Uber' out, instead of the usual black-cabs. Impressed is not the word ..... great value for money (damn site cheaper than the BC's) and there was one available at all times, within a minute.
I take your point about the other cab drivers, but this surely is a sign of the times. It's deffo 'Uber' for us anytime we visit the city in future.