Despite some bumps in the road, app-based car services such as Uber and Lyft are rapidly growing in popularity as they expand to cities worldwide.
Touted as faster and more dependable than hailing a cab, ride-sharing also reduces traffic and pollution, research showing that sharply reducing the number of cars in cities could cut carbon emissions by nearly half in the next 40 years.
With a population of more than 8 million, New York City would be in trouble if everyone had to own a car. Besides public transportation, people rely heavily on New York cabs; however, ride-sharing options have been changing the game. Whether you're a resident or are planning to make a trip soon, here's a breakdown of app-based car services making their way into the city.
Uber
San Francisco-based Uber came to New York about two years ago, launching in the city with 105 cabs to start, according to the New York Times.
Riders can find base fares for the five available Uber services online as well as flat rates to and from nearby airports and the Hamptons. Sign up here for Uber, which is available for iOS, Android and Windows devices.
Lyft
Known for its pink-mustached cars, Lyft had a false start earlier this year due to restraining orders from the Taxi and Limousine Commission and the Attorney General; after weeks of negotiating, the company finally came to all five New York boroughs in late July.
But it wasn't a total victory for Lyft; the app-based ride service had to concede to city regulations by using only commercially licensed drivers instead of regular people with privately owned vehicles, according to CNET.
The Lyft app is available here for iOS and Android smartphones.
Zipcar
Zipcar works through a membership system where users can reserve, unlock and drive vehicles for as long as they need to before leaving the car in a designated location. Customers receive a "zipcard" that gives them access to thousands of cars, trucks and vans in locations worldwide, according to the Zipcar website.
New Yorkers can find the closest Zipcar here.
GetTaxi
GetTaxi has been offering a flat $10 car fare for a trip anywhere in Manhattan as it continues to compete with Uber and other ride-sharing services, a special rate that is in force until the end of the year.
Even rides from "Harlem to Wall Street" will be covered by the $10 flat rate, the company said.
Operating as Gett in the U.S., the service recently launched in New York and has an app available for iOS and Android.
SheTaxis
Scheduled to launch as SheRides in New York City last week, SheTaxis has delayed the service's debut due to a lack of enough drivers. Founder Stella Mateo said the launch has been postponed until 500 women drivers can be recruited, Reuters reported.
SheTaxis, which will purportedly have only women as drivers and require passengers to have at least one woman in their group, will feature drivers who wear hot pink pashmina scarves and is intended to help women feel safe while taking a cab. The service, which is also planning to come to Westchester County and Long Island, will launch through an iOS app to start and should come to Android in the near future.
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