Uber to expand further into black-car territory
Dana Rubinstein
Uber is significantly expanding its New York presence, though not, as originally predicted, as a competitor to the traditional yellow taxi.
The San Francisco-based taxi app company has asked New York Citys taxi regulator for permission to expand its footprint by opening two more black car bases in New York City.
The bases should be approved in a couple of weeks, according to the Taxi and Limousine Commission. That will bring Uber's total number of car service bases to six, will presumably expand its geographic reach and will further cement its status in New York City as a company that provides pre-arranged service to people using smartphone apps, rather than a company that provides taxis.
"We're happy with our growth," said Lane Kasselman, Uber's spokesman. "The mass exodus of drivers to Uber is a testament to the superior economic opportunities the Uber platform brings to N.Y.C. entrepreneursopportunities not available in the taxi industry."
http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/city-hall/2014/06/8546592/uber-expand-further-black-car-territory