Facing tough competition from Uber, New York City's neighborhood car service providers are using apps to retain clientele. The jury's still out on whether adaptation will help them stay in business.

In addition to yellow cabs, private car service companies (often driving the ubiquitous Lincoln Town Car) face increasing pressure from Uber. They recognize that apps have taken center stage in the ride-hailing business.
"Uber's rapid expansion has fed industry unease, especially among yellow-taxi owners and drivers, who see the ride-hailing apps as a threat to the value of the medallions that, at a considerable cost, have long provided entry into the tightly controlled business." Now car and limo services are feeling the crunch too, and have deployed their own apps to keep patrons loyal.
Multiple New York car services—previously competitors—have joined forces against their common foe. They "devised a network where each company could have its own app with its own brand, but that would link all of the bases to one software system so that companies could effectively pool their cars and serve more customers."
One notable advantage taxis and car services have over Uber: "They take cash. Uber relies exclusively on credit cards — and customers with the means to have credit cards."
FULL STORY: Neighborhood Car Service Companies Adopt Their Own Apps to Fend Off Uber

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Milwaukee Launches Vision Zero Plan
Seven years after the city signed its Complete Streets Policy, the city is doubling down on its efforts to eliminate traffic deaths.

Portland Raises Parking Fees to Pay for Street Maintenance
The city is struggling to bridge a massive budget gap at the Bureau of Transportation, which largely depleted its reserves during the Civd-19 pandemic.

Spokane Mayor Introduces Housing Reforms Package
Mayor Lisa Brown’s proposals include deferring or waiving some development fees to encourage more affordable housing development.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont