Uber has launched a brand-new travel service, and it means pet owners can now bring their four-legged friends along for the ride.
Having already proved to be an extremely-popular service in the US, the leading app-powered minicab company has now launched Uber Pet here in the UK this week, and it lets you book dedicated pet-friendly rides in advance for an additional surcharge of £2 across Manchester.
Previously, it was at the discretion of drivers whether they allowed passengers to travel with an animal in an Uber, but now that’s all changed.
Now, when you order an Uber Pet journey, customers will be matched with drivers who are eligible and willing to transport people with their pets.
Uber Pet has launched in Manchester, London, Leeds, Bristol, and Bath, and is limited to one pet per trip, but if you have more pets with you, then you’ll just need to notify the driver first and it’s then up to the them to decide if they want to take them on the trip.
Introducing Uber Pet 🐕🐈⬛ As of today, you can now ride with your furry friend anywhere in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol and Bath, for a small fee, by tapping Uber Pet when choosing your ride. https://t.co/A4XgA5S1XJpic.twitter.com/mGEA2clFON
The company says that Uber Pet is “suitable for dogs and cats”, and that if you’re travelling with a less-common pet, then your driver will have the right of refusal, so you’ll just need to inform them before ordering the trip.
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Passengers travelling with a service animal can continue to use the regular Uber option.
A maximum of three riders may ride with Uber Pet, and once again, additional riders will be left to the discretion of the driver.
Customers are fully responsible for controlling furry friends while on the trip.
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When you order an Uber Pet journey, customers will be matched with drivers who are eligible / Credit: Flickr
Speaking on the launch of the new pet-friendly ride service, Andrew Brem – General Manager at Uber UK – said: “We’re really happy to be launching Uber Pet in the UK, bringing even more convenient travel options to our riders [as] with COVID-19 restrictions lifted, it’s the perfect time for new pets to get out and about again with you, no matter what your plans.”
If all of that wasn’t brilliant enough as it is, Uber has also said that it’ll donate £1 from every Uber Pet fare across the UK to the charity All Dogs Matter.
The charity works to “transform the lives of unwanted and abandoned dogs”.
Manchester Airport to launch 12 more new routes across the world this summer
Emily Sergeant
Mancs will soon get the chance to travel to even more of the most beautiful and underrated places on Earth for the first time.
You may remember that back at the start of the year, Manchester Airport announced seven new ‘exciting’ flight routes to destinations across the world, and now with summer right around the corner and the decade-long £1.3 billion transformation of Terminal 2 pretty much complete, a dozen extra locations have been added to the list.
Already described as being ‘the UK’s global gateway in the North’, Manchester Airport offers a route network that’s unparalleled outside London, with more than 200 destinations served by 50 airlines – but that network is set to widen once again.
A coastal resort in Italy, an architectural gem in Greece, and the largest city in the north of Pakistan are among the cities that will gain new direct flights this summer.
Manchester Airport is launching 12 more new routes across the world this summer / Credit: Reisetopia, Malik-Tayyab & Makis-Hristaras (via Unsplash)
Two major global cities will be added to the airport’s long-haul route network this summer, with Algiers and Lahore set to gain direct flights.
The service to Algeria’s capital will be operated by national airline Air Algerie from 14 June, with prices from £263.43pp return, while Pakistan International Airlines will build upon the successful launch of its Islamabad service by adding Lahore as its second destination from Manchester from 3 July, with fares from £881.23pp return.
Other destinations on the list include easyJet’s new service to Bari in southern Italy, launching on 3 July, Preveza, an airport in mainland Greece that serves as the access point for the picturesque island of Lefkada, starting on 24 June, and Ryanair’s new services to Castellon in eastern Spain and Rimini, a city on Italy’s Adriatic coast, both starting on 1 and 3 June, respectively.
A coastal resort in Italy and an architectural gem in Greece are some of the new destinations / Credit: Alain Rouiller & Jonny Africa (via Unsplash)
A handful of Jet2 services to new locations for the airline have already taken flight over the past couple of months, including La Palma, Palermo, and Pula in Croatia.
“We know people are just as keen as ever to enjoy a holiday abroad this summer, and while places like Mallorca, Alicante and Faro are always in demand, we know many travellers want to explore somewhere new, even if they’re travelling to a country that they’ve visited many times before,” commented Stephen Turner, who is the Chief Commercial Officer at Manchester Airport.
“That’s why we’re so excited to see a dozen new routes coming on board this summer, several of which will connect Manchester to destinations unserved by any other northern airport.
“We’re sure these destinations will prove popular with passengers, and we’re grateful to our airlines for their ongoing commitment to offer passengers flying from Manchester unrivalled choice.”
Featured Image – Ivan Shimko (via Unsplash)
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Manchester United and Lionesses star Ella Toone is now officially an MBE
Danny Jones
Man United Women and Lionesses star Ella Toone is now officially an MBE after collecting the award this week.
The Greater Mancunian has grown to become one of the most influential female players of the modern era, and now her impact has been immortalised by the monarchy.
Being recognised for services to the discipline on Tuesday, 19 May, the local athlete finally collected her accolade at Windsor Castle.
Presented to her by Prince William, the Tyldesley-born attacker said in a statement: “It’s been amazing. It’s a bit of a pinch-me moment to be here and be honoured with an MBE.
“I never thought when I started out playing football I’d now be called Ella Toone MBE, so it’s a bit crazy.”
Having suffered a tough time out with injury, the 26-year-old also insists she is now back feeling “better and stronger than ever.”
With Sarina Wiegman’s official squad selection for the qualifiers ahead of FIFA’s 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, she’s also looking forward to reuniting with her England teammates.
Here she is talking to Sky ahead of the games, not long after receiving the award:
"I've missed it so much, can't wait to be back with the girls" 🏴
Ella Toone is looking forward to meeting up with her England teammates next month for World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/K02nJbSkE0
Speaking back in December, she confessed that it’s all been “a bit mad” for her ever since she learned of the news, but her worthiness speaks for itself.
Winning not only back-to-back Euros titles with the national side, along with the first-ever UEFA Women’s Finalissima trophy in 2023, but also inspiring young kids dreaming of becoming footballers across the country and beyond.
Congratulations once again, ‘Tooney’ – beyond well-deserved.
Across the city, it’s great to see yet more groundbreaking investment in the women’s game being made for generations to come.
Emily Sergeant -
27th April 2022 
