Could this end the war on the road between ridesharing cars and ordinary taxis? So, before this took place, the taxis you are familiar of, their drivers, and rideshare cars are fighting over passengers. Ever since ridesharing began, it seems like taxis have found a threat, or their greatest match.
How it works
It’s official. People could already book those ordinary taxis via ridesharing apps like Lyft in Boston.
However, only licensed taxi drivers could be booked, so if you don’t have a license yet and want easier customers, then get that license today.
City officials and the Boston Police Department announced this one-year pilot program yesterday, saying this will give passengers more transportation options, while creating additional opportunities for ordinary taxi drivers.
In this initiative, licensed taxis in Boston can help meet demand for riders booked through Lyft or Uber, something that is already featured in some Uber apps across the world, such as in Seoul, where Uber Taxis are available.
Officials are saying this move could also boost driver earnings for both parties, and reduce waiting times for passengers.
Boston City Councilor Ruthzee Louijeuene, also an advocate for the pilot program, chatted with RSF, “Boston taxi drivers are hardworking small business owners, including many immigrants, and this City pilot will help them better support their families and our local communities.”
During the pilot program spanning a year, Boston will also be evaluating changes in taxi demand and gathering feedback from passengers. Boston likewise expects that the pilot will allow taxi drivers to access a significantly larger number of trips they currently serve. It is really designed to end the war.
City Mayor Michelle Wu told RSF that she is “excited to support the people who keep our city moving.”
She further noted, “This pilot will help Boston’s taxi industry participate fully in meeting demand, improve earnings for drivers, reduce wait times and improve the experience of drivers and the riding public.”
However, there are terms and conditions. Passengers will have to pay higher fares to the taxis, since they are booking through the app. And, additionally, they will need to pay the meter fares. Furthermore, there are specific conditions for airport trips and trips to special events.
Mixed reactions
Of course, this is widely welcomed by the taxi driving community, but there are mixed reactions from ridesharing drivers. It seems that the war will continue, nonetheless.
“A lot of drivers see it as additional competition, especially delivery drivers,” stated Gayrat Akhmaedov, a part-time Lyft driver who also owns a livery company, Boston Driver. “There are also other drivers that see it as a way to kind of improve vehicle availability during peak times and on large demands — large events like the World Cup [traffic].”
Meanwhile, Balwinder Gill, a Boston Taxi Network board member, thanked the city.
“This change is a major boost for taxi drivers in Boston and the passengers we serve,” Gill, 25-year owner and operator of a Boston taxi, pointed out in a statement. “We thank the city for partnering with taxi drivers to help our small businesses and deliver a better service for all Bostonians.”
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