The Wall Street Journal reports that "Uber Technologies Inc. is becoming friends with a former foe.
"The company has reached an agreement to list all New York City taxis on its app, an alliance that could ease the ride-hailing giant’s driver shortage and temper high fares while directing more business to cabdrivers, whose livelihoods were affected by the emergence of car-sharing apps and the pandemic.
"While Uber has formed partnerships with some taxi operators overseas, and riders in several U.S. cities can use its app to book taxis if cabdrivers choose to be listed there, the New York City alliance is its first citywide partnership in the U.S. New York, one of Uber’s most lucrative markets, has been a battlefield for the company and the city’s iconic yellow taxis for years."
The story says that "passengers will pay roughly the same fare for taxi rides as for Uber X rides, according to the company. Uber drivers in New York City receive a minimum time and distance rate set by the TLC. Uber said its drivers typically earn more than that rate. Cabdrivers who agree to take Uber passengers will be paid the same way."
- KC's View:
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This gives a whole new meaning to ride sharing.
I found this story particularly interesting because I've been watching "Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber" on Showtime, the early episodes of which detail the degree to which Uber founder Travis Kalanick was engaged in pitched warfare against cab companies, as well as taxi and limousine commissions in various cities. I didn't remember that Uber originally was called Uber Cab, with the name changed so that the company could argue that it should not be regulated like cabs.
I'm three episodes in, and I find the show to be fascinating … when Uber launched, I remember being enthralled by the disruptive energy it created (though I've always been more of a Lyft customer). The show has done an excellent job so far of illustrating the toxicity and disruptiveness can go hand in hand, and it is making me feel a little uncomfortable about my previous feelings. That said, there are four more episodes to go, and I'm in for the entire ride.
