Freenow by Lyft has officially opened in Northern Ireland through Belfast operator fonaCAB. The Irish News, Belfast Live and Business Eye all dated that launch to Thursday 8 October. The Irish News added that the service had already been taking jobs for a number of weeks.
The only operator named in the deal is fonaCAB. The company statement lists Belfast, Lisburn, Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus. The Irish News says the app is live across the towns where fonaCAB works, and includes Craigavon and Banbridge in that list (Irish News). It also reported that fonaCAB is understood to be the exclusive Freenow operator in Northern Ireland for a period that has not been disclosed. That exclusivity is not in the company’s own quotes.
Who the jobs are for
fonaCAB spokesperson Stephen Anton said the tie-up is aimed at visitors, especially from the Republic, who arrive in the north and open Freenow. Lyft’s own data, he said, showed people doing that and finding no car. Those passengers can request a taxi without downloading the fonaCAB app.
“We have around 3,000 business accounts and to us, Freenow is another account customer, but it’s a big account customer, so we’re delighted,” he said. “It’s extra business we can secure for our 1,200 FonaCAB drivers and it helps the tourism and hospitality sector in Northern Ireland.”
He said existing fonaCAB customers should keep booking on the firm’s own app and by phone. fonaCAB’s site describes the same 1,200-car fleet, and says the company acts as a disclosed agent for drivers who use it as independent contractors (fonaCAB).
What the passenger is offered
The launch statement, carried by Belfast Live, says a Freenow user sees the fare before confirming, can track the car, and can pre-book from 20 minutes to 90 days ahead. Payment is by Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal or card. The booking shows the vehicle, and the passenger can share the trip (Belfast Live).
Danny O’Gorman, general manager for Freenow by Lyft in the UK and Ireland, called the opening “an important milestone and the latest step in growing our presence across the UK and Ireland.” He named Belfast, Lisburn, Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus.
The same statement says that, from this month, riders in North America can book European trips, including London and Dublin, in the Lyft app. That is the company’s claim. It is separate from the fonaCAB dispatch deal.
The wider Lyft move
Lyft bought Freenow in July 2025. On 31 July 2026 Freenow acquired Dublin dispatcher Lynk and Limerick dispatcher Swift (Lyft). The Belfast opening is the next step on the island, and the cars at this end are fonaCAB’s.
For those drivers, a Freenow request is depot work on top of the existing app and phone line. It does not replace either.