Livery industry plans lawsuit to block hailing apps
The livery cab industry is considering a lawsuit to block the implementation of smartphone-hailing apps.
The TLC announced in December that they were launching a pilot program to test apps for phones that allow riders to hail a cab, and sometimes pay for and rate it, from their phones.
But livery cab drivers have said this will push into their business, which comes from people setting up car rides ahead of time.
Ira Goldstein, head of the Black Car Assistance Corporation, said in a letter that they are considering a lawsuit.
“We could do nothing and watch our businesses wither away, or we can take legal action in court to stop the pilot program,” Goldstein wrote.
They plan to seek a temporary restraining order against the pilot program.
Pre-arranged hails will be “the unraveling and crippling of the for-hire vehicle industry,” Goldstein said.
