On March 29, the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) unanimously approved a pilot program to allow yellow taxis to offer their passengers “upfront” rates, rather than metered ones, if the passenger requests the ride through an app.
TLC rules have long required that passengers be charged the metered rate of fare for all yellow taxi trips. The pilot will not apply to street hails, which will still be metered and continue to follow the normal taxicab rates of fare. Taxi companies will be able to determine their own rates of fare but must report them to the TLC. They will also be allowed to charge “surge pricing” rates, as well as set special rates to encourage shared rides, according to the TLC.
Companies can participate if they have an e-hail license. There are currently four companies that hold e-hail licenses: Arro, Curb, Via and Waave.
