App for hailing NYC taxis is now in the outer boroughs

New York City yellow and green cab drivers will have a better chance of competing with ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft, in the outer boroughs, starting this week. Last month, the city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission announced a two-year pilot program with a service called Waave.

Now the service is expanding to outer boroughs as well, according to AM New York, which first reported on the announcement. New Yorkers in the outer parts of the city have long-complained about the lack of transit options and about their reliance on ride-hailing apps. That was one of the concerns voiced by many New Yorkers when the city instituted its cap on for-hire vehicles last month.

Waave is looking to rectify that imbalance. With the app, users don’t have to worry about surge pricing, and the app allows the option of booking a cab to accommodate larger pieces of luggage. For taxi drivers, it also equips them with the technology to compete with Uber and Lyft drivers.

• Waave, ride-hail app for taxis, expands to green cabs in outer boroughs [AMNY]
• NYC enacts first-of-its-kind cap on Uber, for-hire vehicles [Curbed]
• New yellow taxi app offers riders upfront, surge-free pricing [Curbed]