Uber taxis finally arrive in Wolverhampton, Dudley and Walsall

Uber - which has sparked protests from traditional cabbies elsewhere - sees customers download an app, which allows them to order a car directly from the nearest driver. The customer then gets details of the estimated waiting time and cost.

No phone calls have to be made and no cash changes hands as payments are made online.

Uber already operates in Birmingham, but from 4pm today customers will be able to use the uberX app in the Black Country for the first time.

The firm, known for its low prices, has said a journey from the Molineux to Birmingham's New Street Station could cost around £23, a trip that could cost up to £40 with other firms, while a journey from Wolverhampton Racecourse to the Mander Centre could cost around £4.50.

Fouzan Ali, Uber's general manager in the Midlands, said: "We're really excited to be officially announcing our launch in the Black Country.

"Uber has been a huge success in Birmingham, having been embraced by both riders and private hire drivers."

He said the firm had branched out in the region due to demand from customers.

The company has also applied for a licence to operate in Sandwell and Mr Ali said he was 'confident' it would be approved. No application has yet been made to operate in Staffordshire, but Mr Ali said it was 'definitely something we would consider'.

"In the last 90 days alone, 20,000 people tried to get an Uber, but they couldn't, so what we have done is responded to that and we wanted to provide the service."

There are no telephone calls to book a private cab as everything is done through the app in less than a few minutes.

GPS is used to put passengers in touch with the closest drivers to the pick-up location.

Earlier this year black cab drivers brought central London to a standstill to highlight the threats to their trade from Uber and changing regulation, but existing minicab drivers in the Black Country said they were primarily concerned about the cut taken by Uber from its drivers.

Private hire driver Raheel Shah, said: "They charge too much commission – 25 per cent is just too much for drivers. We are already struggling. I don't think it is a good deal."

Uber has already started taking on drivers in the area, all of whom are private hire licence holders.