Uber to Add All NYC Yellow Cabs to App

Uber and New York City’s yellow cab industry have been at odds ever since the rideshare platform entered the market. But now, the two bitter rivals will partner up.

Beginning this spring, Uber will list all taxis on its app, a spokesperson for the company confirmed, following an agreement reached with the city’s Taxi & Limousine Commission. The partnership, first revealed by WSJ, is Uber’s latest step in a global effort to work with the taxi industry to unlock new markets.

Uber has been struggling to bring back drivers after they left in large numbers during the pandemic. The new deal will add about 14,000 taxi drivers licensed in New York City to Uber’s platform. 

The number of rides in yellow taxis in New York has plunged since Uber launched in 2011 thanks to the ease of booking a ride in the app, instead of having to wave at one in the street. The Uber deal will now add more riders to yellow cabs, but these fares will likely be less profitable as Uber has to take its cut. The companies did not say how much this would be.

Under the agreement, the city’s existing yellow cab apps, Curb Mobility and Creative Mobile Technologies, will integrate with Uber’s software. Riders hailing a yellow taxi via the Uber app will pay fares comparable to an Uber X ride, according to WSJ.