Uber is facing competition from a Chinese-backed upstart promising cheaper rides in one of the world’s busiest markets.
Taxify launched its ride-hailing app in London on Tuesday, offering half price fares and no surge pricing until the end of the month.
“We know that Londoners are crying out for an alternative to the options currently available to them and we have listened intently to what both drivers and riders want,” Taxify CEO Markus Villig said in a statement.
Its launch in the British capital comes as Uber is struggling to recover from a series of damaging scandals that resulted in its former CEO being forced out by investors.
The new arrival appeared to be drawing plenty of interest: Taxify was top of the trending list in Apple’s App Store in the U.K. on Tuesday morning.
Related: As Uber stumbles, rivals mobilize abroad
But even though Taxify said it had “thousands of drivers signed up” ahead of the launch, its service appeared to be lagging Uber in some central London locations early Tuesday, with longer waits for rides.
“In this early stage, this is normal and we are expecting more drivers to come online within the following hours,” a Taxify spokeswoman said. “In the longer term, we are aiming to offer our customers the shortest waiting times.”
Wait times were already competitive in some places, such as near the Royal Opera House, she added.
Taxify is entering a crammed marketplace. Other apps such as Gett and MyTaxi already jostle with more traditional cab firms for business in London.
Taxify started operations in Estonia in 2013. It says it takes less commission from drivers than Uber and other rivals, enabling it to charge customers lower fares.
Its launch in the British capital coincides with the official first day on the job for Uber’s new CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, who was picked to help the world’s most valuable startup bounce back from months of crisis.
Related: New Uber CEO tells staff company ‘has to change’
Taxify says it already has more than 2.5 million customers across 19 countries in Europe, Central America and Africa. It’s planning to launch in Paris before the end of 2017.
And it has powerful friends. Didi Chuxing, the Chinese ride-hailing service that beat Uber out of the world’s most populous nation, said last month it was investing in Taxify and would help it grow.
The partnership is just one of several Didi has established with Uber rivals around the world, including in the U.S., India and Southeast Asia.
Didi, whose backers include Apple (AAPL, Tech30) and major Chinese tech firms, is pressing ahead with the tie-ups despite its financial links to Uber.
Related: China’s Uber worth $50 billion after raising more cash
Didi’s deal to buy Uber’s China business resulted in the U.S. company receiving a roughly 18% stake in the Chinese firm. And Didi ended up with a stake in Uber.
A Didi spokeswoman played down the potential conflicts of the company’s web of links to Uber and its rivals around the world, saying there was “ample room” for multiple operators in the rapidly developing market.
“Eventually, drivers and riders, and cities looking for solutions to their congestion and efficiency problems, will benefit from robust investments into the industry from different players,” she said.
Uber didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
— Mark Thompson contributed to this report.
CNNMoney (Hong Kong) First published September 5, 2017: 6:26 AM ET