Taxi Association Warns of ‘Rogue’ Taxi Apps

Depending on where you’re located at the time, calling for a cab can be a true exercise in patience. You might see 10 or more empty-seated cabs pass by, just out of reach, or you may not be anywhere near an area where you could simply hop in one. For these and other reasons, apps like “Uber” are simply awesome as they allow you to use your phone to connect to a taxicab on-the-fly, enabling some pretty impressive pick-up speeds.

The way apps like Uber work is simple. These services have built up a network of taxi agencies, so when a ping comes in to Uber, it gets passed along to a local taxi agency which thus finds you a nearby driver. Uber isn’t the only app that offers such functionality, but as it’s a growing market, you’ll likely see much more of it in the near-future.

Unless you listen to the “Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association”, that is.

According to this group, apps such as Uber are ‘rogue services’ that avail more risk to the passenger vs. if they had just called in as usual and waited for a “certified” cab. The group’s main complaint is that these apps put the passenger at risk for personal safety, uninsured accident claims and best of all, fare gouging.

Though services like Uber, GroundLink and Get Taxi don’t offer services near me, I’ve been following the market with interest as I simply think the idea is cool. I’ve even asked my self, “What took so long?” I’m starting to wonder if the TL&PA (no, not another anti-aliasing mode) feels the same way, and is acting more like a sour apple at this point than a group offering genuine concern.

Judging by comment sections I’ve read, it seems these apps tie you to taxi companies that are properly licensed and insured, so the consumer risk is actually rather low. I’d think twice if I wound up with someone who thought other cars on the road didn’t exist, but as this is still an early market, we’re likely to learn a lot more about it as it matures.