New York City’s yellow taxis are looking to get even more competitive with ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft and will now offer outer borough commuters a 50 percent discount during morning and evening rush hour commutes to Manhattan.
The discount was approved by the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) and is being offered through Waave, a smartphone app that the TLC approved as part of a two-year pilot program, giving passengers the ability to request rides and get upfront pricing. It’s hoping to reduce the number of passenger-less taxis on the road during rush hours to create a “better quality of life for both New Yorkers and taxi drivers,” says Waave CEO, Daniel Iger.
Uber and Lyft cars were found to outnumber yellow taxis by 4 to 1 and as a result, many taxi drivers have been dealing with financial strains. This week, an eighth taxi driver has committed suicide and it is believed that debt and the struggle to make a decent income as a yellow taxi driver is primarily the reason why.
Discounts will be available between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. everyday beginning November 15.
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