Utilization rates (UR), or how busy a NYC Uber / Lyft driver is kept, seems to be plateauing ~54%, just above 53% UR floor. New Green Rides tab in TLC Factbook shows 2025 EV/WAV target already met
Unfortunately im not sure yellow would ever come back.
For example the other day I picked up a LYFT at 138th st and Broadway, the subway was not working so everyone was ordering Uber/lyft while so many Yellow and Green cabs passed by empty.
Passengers have switched from street hails to app hails, primarily because of convenience and upfront pricing. Many passengers are unaware that most times yellow is cheaper but yellow has no upfront pricing.
Still hopeful a recovery will happen with yellow, but it definitely also depends on how a lot of regulation plays out (i.e., issuance of more TLC Plates, congestion tolling). If it's meaningful cheaper to take a yellow vs. the apps, people will start using it more (or "e-hailing" yellows might get more popular). Also, preferential/curbside airport pickup locations for taxi might benefit the industry. Still think the yellow cab industry will come back, but let's see!
The problem with e-hail yellow is that CURB (not sure about ARRO) pays below metered rates and many yellow cab drivers reject those rides.
The city has the power to shift the dynamic if they were to exempt yellows from congestion fee and charge FHV a congestion fee but it would have to be a much higher fee if they want to deter FHV from entering Manhattan empty.
Unfortunately im not sure yellow would ever come back.
For example the other day I picked up a LYFT at 138th st and Broadway, the subway was not working so everyone was ordering Uber/lyft while so many Yellow and Green cabs passed by empty.
Passengers have switched from street hails to app hails, primarily because of convenience and upfront pricing. Many passengers are unaware that most times yellow is cheaper but yellow has no upfront pricing.
Still hopeful a recovery will happen with yellow, but it definitely also depends on how a lot of regulation plays out (i.e., issuance of more TLC Plates, congestion tolling). If it's meaningful cheaper to take a yellow vs. the apps, people will start using it more (or "e-hailing" yellows might get more popular). Also, preferential/curbside airport pickup locations for taxi might benefit the industry. Still think the yellow cab industry will come back, but let's see!
The problem with e-hail yellow is that CURB (not sure about ARRO) pays below metered rates and many yellow cab drivers reject those rides.
The city has the power to shift the dynamic if they were to exempt yellows from congestion fee and charge FHV a congestion fee but it would have to be a much higher fee if they want to deter FHV from entering Manhattan empty.