Uber Will List NYC Taxis On Its App, Company Confirms

NEW YORK CITY — New Yorkers will soon be able to hail a taxi on Uber.

Transit company Uber Technologies reached an agreement with the Taxi Limousine Commission to list city taxi cabs on its app, the company confirmed Thursday.

“Uber has a long history of partnering with the taxi industry to provide drivers with more ways to earn and riders with another transportation option," said Andrew Macdonald, a senior vice president with the company.

"We’re excited to team up."

The Wall Street Journal was first to break the news of the agreement, which it reported could ease Uber's driver shortage and direct more business to taxi drivers.

The Taxi and Limousine Commission Acting Commissioner Ryan Wanttaja said the deal would benefit drivers and riders.

“We are always interested in innovative tools that can expand economic opportunities for taxi drivers," Wanttaja said in a statement. "We are excited about any proposal to more easily connect passengers with taxis and look forward to learning more about this agreement between Uber and the taxi apps and ensuring it complies with TLC rules.”

Meera Joshi, a deputy mayor who oversees the TLC, told the Journal also said the agreement would ease commuting issues without increasing traffic congestion.

Uber will link up with software companies Creative Mobile Technologies and Curb, which currently provide app-hailing services to about 14,000 city cabs, a spokesperson said.

Riders who hail taxis on Uber can expect the fare to equal that of an Uber X trip, the transit company confirmed.

Taxi drivers who pick up Uber riders will receive earnings estimates and will be able to turn down rides that are not worth their time, Uber confirmed.

Read more in the Wall Street Journal.

This story was updated about 12:30 p.m. to include a comment from the Taxi Limousine Commission.