Uber will open its platform to London's black cabs next year, the taxi company announced Wednesday, in a bid to win over taxis in the British capital after a decade of tensions.

London's black cab drivers, who must pass a test called 'The Knowledge', which involves memorizing thousands of routes within the city, have long been at odds with Uber, arguing that it threatens their livelihoods.

Uber's new service, set to launch in early 2024, will allow black cab drivers to log into the app to take booked rides. The American giant offers them a commission-free deal for the first six months.

Uber is revamping its app to add personalized passenger preferences But a group representing most black taxi drivers rejected the offer, saying there was no demand among members.

"We have no interest in sullying the name of London's iconic, world-renowned black cab trade by aligning it with Uber, it's poor safety record and everything else that comes with it," said Steve McNamara, general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA).

Black cabs, also known as Hackney carriages, are the only London vehicles that can pick up passengers from the street or taxi ranks in the city. They can also be booked through other apps.

In London, one of Uber's top five markets, the company wants taxi drivers to join its service as they have already done in Paris, New York and Rome. It says passengers and taxi drivers both benefit when the latter work with Uber.

If London's "cabbies" do take up the offer of joining the platform in significant numbers it would represent a huge thaw in relations.

Their dispute was at its height in 2014 when cab drivers blocked the streets to protest against Uber, but they have continued to be vocal in their opposition to the service since.

One driver, Hameed Hameedi, said he was on board, becoming the first London cab driver to sign up. He said it could be a "huge advantage" to the trade.