TLC approves smartphone app hails for yellow cabs

Cab driver tries a cab-hailing app on his smartphone. Credit: Cab driver tries a cab-hailing app on his smartphone. (Kristen V. Brown)

By TIM HERRERADecember 13, 2012

Wave goodbye to waving for a taxi.

The Taxi and Limousine Commission approved a one-year pilot program yesterday to allow New Yorkers to hail a yellow cab through smartphone apps.

In a 7-0 approval with two abstentions, the TLC board voted in the program to help cabs embrace new technology and stay current, TLC commissioner David Yassky said.

"This is an exciting day for taxi riders," Yassky said. "It's the TLC's job to represent passengers, and when new technology comes along, we want to make sure it's available to them. New York City is known for embracing innovation, and we've certainly done that today."

The program goes into effect Feb. 15, and app developers must meet certain requirements from the TLC before they will be allowed. A handful of apps have already said they'll launch in the city, including Hail-o, Uber and GetTaxi.

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