The mobile app for ride sharing and car hiring Uber is preparing to enter Bulgarian market, reports Dnevnik.bg. 

According to listings in the business social network LinkedIn and the company website, it is looking to hire a software engineer, general manager and a logistics and operations manager. Uber, however, has not replied to the official query of Dnevnik.bg on the matter. 

Uber is a transportation company with a popular mobile app, which connects through GPS  the  passengers directly to the nearest car with driver for hire, listed in the Uber database. The company does not work with regular taxi companies, but with transport companies and dedicated drivers. 

The pricing is similar to metered taxis, although all hiring and payment is handled exclusively through Uber and not with the driver personally. 

If the Uber car is travelling at a speed greater than 18 km/h, the price is calculated on a distance basis. Otherwise, the price is calculated on a time basis. 

At the end of a ride, the complete fare (which does not include a tip) is automatically billed to the customer's credit card. 

Usually, Uber fares are higher than the regular taxi fares, but the service, according to the company, offers more comfort, punctuality and reliability. Uber also charges higher fares, the so-called “surge price”, in times of high demand such as New Year's Eve, the Christmas season and in extremely bad weather.

In various countries Uber is targeted by investigations for illegal taxi services and often faces the opposition of local taxi companies.

In June this year, in a concerted action, taxis blocked roads in major European cities in protest against what they perceive as a threat to their livelihoods by companies such as Uber. The cabbies contended that Uber and similar smartphone app-based services have an unfair advantage because they are not subject to the same kinds of fees and regulations placed on taxis.

In July the Seoul city government said it would seek a ban on a car-hailing smartphone app from Uber Technologies Inc., joining a global battle by municipalities and traditional taxi services against the service.