A new pilot program will allow cab drivers to accept ride requests through ride-hailing apps for the first time.
Don’t be surprised if the next Uber or Lyft you order turns out to be a taxi.
For the first time, licensed taxi drivers in Boston will be allowed to accept trips from ride-hailing apps as part of a one-year pilot program.
City officials and the Boston Police Department announced the pilot program on Tuesday, saying it will give riders more transportation options while creating additional opportunities for taxi drivers.
Under the program, Boston’s licensed taxis will be able to help meet demand for rides booked through Uber and Lyft, a move officials say could boost driver earnings and reduce wait times for passengers.
“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,” said Boston City Councilor Ruthzee Louijeuene, who advocated for the pilot program, in a statement.
Mayor Michelle Wu, in a statement, said she is “excited to support the people who keep our city moving.”
During the one-year pilot program, the city will evaluate changes in taxi demand and gather passenger feedback. The city expects that the pilot will allow taxi drivers to access a significantly larger number of trips they currently serve.
Riders will still pay the upfront price offered by Uber and Lyft, rather than using the regulated taxi fare structure set by the Hackney Division of the Boston Police Department.
Taxis hailed on the street or requested directly through taxi-specific apps will continue to charge customers based on the city’s regulated meter fares.
Previously:
The pilot requires participating e-hail companies to exclude airport trips and to allow the Hackney Division to set additional exclusions for special events.
“This change is a major boost for taxi drivers in Boston and the passengers we serve,” said Balwinder Gill, a Boston Taxi Network board member and a 25-year owner and operator of a Boston taxi cab, in a statement.
He continued, “We thank the city for partnering with taxi drivers to help our small businesses and deliver a better service for all Bostonians.”
Representatives for Uber and Lyft did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Wednesday.
Beth Treffeisen is a general assignment reporter for Boston.com, focusing on local news, crime, and business in the New England region.
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