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Uber Launches Uber TAXI: Get a Cab With a Click of an App

Not every trip into Downtown Boston, or across the Charles River, calls for a luxury vehicle.

That’s why Uber, a car service that picks-up and drops off customers at the click of an app, will now being offering cab rides.

On Wednesday at noon, Uber will enter a new phase of its transportation business by offering Uber TAXI.

“We’re psyched to be able to offer Bostonians high quality, reliable transportation alternatives at multiple price points,” Uber representatives wrote in a statement.

The company said they are working directly with licensed city of Boston cab drivers to make it easier for clients to “e-hail” a TAXI and so that it generates for business for Boston cabs.

Before hailing a cab on the street, or using Uber to get a black car sent to your destination, customers will now be able to click the “TAXI” option within the smartphone app. Once selected, fares will be calculated using the in-vehicle taximeter on each vehicle.

A $1 “TAXI” fee and 20% gratuity will be automatically added to the ride, before the customer gets to their destination, most likely eliminating the hassle of trying to figure out how much to tip a cab driver.

“TAXI is the latest experiment from the Uber Garage – our workshop of sorts where we tinker with new ideas for urban transportation,” the company said in a statement sent to BostInno.

The company is looking for input from customers, too.

Using the hashtag #UberBlackorWhite on Twitter, riders can send messages to @Uber_BOS and gauge what their experience using the new app was like.

Last month, Uber ran into some serious road blocks with its original services.

State officials tried to put the brakes on the company’s operations, claiming Uber’s GPS-metered system did not fall in line with Massachusetts regulations and metering practices.

After much public outcry, the decision to “cease and desist” was reversed with help of Governor Deval Patrick.

from BostInno http://bostinno.com/2012/09/19/uber-launches-taxi-servic/