0 Boston Taxis Launch Smartphone App to Compete with Uber

Posted on October 5, 2015 by Wil Catlin

Credit: Boston Business Journal

How do you prefer to traverse the city; Uber, Lift or a yellow taxi? The taxis of the city are trying to level the field by launching their own app.

According to the BBJ, “the app, which can connect with Apple Pay or Google Wallet, has already launched in Philadelphia and New York City. More than 1,400 of the 1,600 licensed taxis in Philadelphia are already equipped with Verifone payment systems for credit card acceptance and are ready for Way2ride…there are currently 1,825 licensed cabs operating in the city of Boston…A Boston taxi industry group spokeswoman said it was too early to tell if the app would be a step in the right direction. Taxi union spokeswoman Donna Blythe-Shaw said she was more concerned with the fact that taxis are still forced to comply with more stringent and often-complex regulations than ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft.

You can read the full article on the Boston Business Journal’s website.

0 Boston is one of Uber Health’s Test Markets

Posted on October 26, 2014 by Wil Catlin

From car service, to ice cream, to Flu Shots; click on your Uber App for all? Boston is one of the test markets for Uber Health, along with New York and Washington D.C.

Now your Flu shot will come to you, based on where you are, and provide up to 10 shots for your coworkers.

From the Boston Business Journal:

“Uber is testing its UberHealth service…in partnership with Vaccine Finder, a free vaccine search tool developed in part by Boston Children’s Hospital. For every shot given, the company said it would donate $5 to the Red Cross to support vaccination efforts for children including its Measles & Rubella Initiati.”

0 UberBoat to Provide Limited Water Service in Boston

Posted on June 5, 2014 by Wil Catlin

Credit: Uber

Need a ride to the airport or a harbor island from the Financial District? Walk toward the waterfront at get within .25 mile of the water and open Uber. This is pilot program only from June 4th to June 15th.

Boston Magazine notes that “in order to access the UberBOAT option, users have to be within a quarter-mile of the harbor. When they are close enough, the app will then display an UberBOAT icon on the screen. From there, people can simply “place a pin” on a map , indicating where they want to be picked up near the docks, and hit the “Request” button. Soon after, a boat will appear. “Once your request has been accepted, the captain will give you a call to confirm your location and provide additional details on reaching the dock,” the company said.”

Jump over to Boston Magazine to read the complete article and to view an interactive map of the water taxi operation area.

0 Boston Cab Union Protests Uber

Posted on May 28, 2014 by Wil Catlin

Credit: Boston Business Journal

Do you Uber when you are touring office space for lease in Boston? Well, yes. Will Uber be here tomorrow or with the Cab Union prevail?

The Boston Business Journal reported that “the union, representing 1,400 cab drivers, is calling on Boston Mayor Marty Walshand Police Commissioner William Evans to order all UberX and UberXL for-hire vehicles off the streets of Boston until the city can regulate and license all Uberdrivers and cars.”

Follow the link to view the full BBJ article for details on the Cab Union Uber protests.