Tag Archives: e-hail

Uber intros fare splitting for cost-conscious ridesharers

Posted on by

Uber brings fare splitting to its mobile apps

Few party-goers look forward to the math involved with paying for a shared cab ride home. Now that Uber supports fare splitting, they won't have to: the company's updated Android and iOS apps let passengers divide the cost equally. While friends must be Uber members to chip in, they only have to give their permission if someone has already hailed a car. The new apps won't necessarily get cheapskate friends to pay up, but they could avoid a few headaches at the end of a long night.

Filed under: , ,

Comments

Via: Uber Blog

Source: App Store, Google Play

NY court lifts temporary ban on cab-hailing apps, pilot program to continue

Posted on by

The on-again-off-again status of NYC's e-hail pilot program is now, well, back on. A New York state court has just lifted a temporary restraining order brought on by the city's livery cab companies that halted the year-long trial of taxi-hailing apps like Uber, Hailo and Taxi Magic. They argued that using the apps to book cabs counts as pre-arranging a service, which is strictly their territory. After weeks of deliberation, judges sided with the city, which contended the software is just another way to hail a cab.

Filed under: ,

Comments

Source: The Epoch Times

Uber shuts down New York City taxi beta, may see light at the end of the (Lincoln) tunnel in February (update: TLC responds)

Posted on by

Uber shuts down New York City taxi beta, may see light at the end of the Lincoln tunnel in February

Uber has been having a tough time getting a foothold in New York City, and it's temporarily withdrawing the UberTaxi service it had in beta. The withdrawal isn't entirely for the reasons you'd expect, however. While Uber claims to have been getting grief from the city's Taxi and Limousine Commission for offering a competing (if technically legal) service through its smartphone apps, the program's end was due to demand rather than any kind of outright ban -- the Commission's pressure reportedly kept Uber from matching interest with enough yellow cabs. Black car service is still on for those who don't mind the classic ride. Should that uncomfortable balance not be quite good enough, Mayor Bloomberg is promising a truce come February, when a shift in contracts will let New York change the rules and hopefully improve the market for taxi alternatives.

Update: TLC Commissioner David Yassky has weighed in with both an elaboration and claims that the Commission has been in favor of newer technology for awhile. He notes that the contracts expiring in February relate to exclusive payment arrangements with Creative Mobile Technologies and VeriFone, and that apps of all kinds (Uber's included) can compete for attention at that point. His full statement:

"In recent months, as e-hail apps have emerged, TLC has undertaken serious diligence and is moving toward rule changes that will open the market to app developers and other innovators. Those changes cannot legally take place until our existing exclusive contracts expire in February. We are committed to making it as easy as possible to get a safe, legal ride in a New York City taxi, and are excited to see how emerging technology can improve that process. Our taxis have always been on the cutting edge of technological innovation, from GPS systems to credit card readers."

Filed under:

Uber shuts down New York City taxi beta, may see light at the end of the (Lincoln) tunnel in February (update: TLC responds) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Oct 2012 17:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceUber, NYC Mayor's Office (Twitter)  | Email this | Comments