Uber cancels NYC taxi program, due to high demand
Uber's bold initiative to let New York City residents hail taxis via their smartphones has met its end after just a few of months of operation. The company announced the shutdown today, going on to say that the reason is not due to poor reception -- in fact, it's exactly the opposite. It seems that while the e-hail movement was gaining popularity, the city's Taxi and Limousine Commission continued to throw wrenches in Uber's plans.
The company took a tone of muffled frustration in its official announcement on the matter, noting that demand for Uber-equipped cabs far outweighed what the city was willing to allow. With the odds stacked firmly against Uber invading NYC's taxi culture, the company decided to pull the plug. Taking one last dig at the powers that be, Uber promised it will continue to expand into "more innovation-friendly cities" in the near future. Despite the snub on the cab front, Uber's Black Car reservation service will remain in operation in NYC.
[Via Gigaom]
