Waterloo Taxi launches smartphone app to compete with Uber

Waterloo Taxi has launched a new ride-hailing app for Apple and Android devices in response to the arrival of Uber in Waterloo Region.

Passengers will be able to use the app to request a cab, pay using a credit card or throughPayPal, and monitor a map to see the cab approach their location in real time. Waterloo Taxi decided to launch the app when Uber launched the ride-sharing service UberX in the region in July.

• Waterloo Taxi launching new app to compete with Uber

Waterloo Taxi president PeterNeufeldsaidthe company alsohasplans to develop an app forBlackBerryusers.The new app for Apple and Androidis free to downloadand, as a bonus,users can get their first ride for free.

As a result of Uber'sforay into the region, regional council is considering a bylaw that would make auxiliary taxi licences a requirement for Uber drivers and anyone else who charges a passenger to get from one point to another.

City Cabs Kitchener, another regional taxi company, also has a ride-hailing app for Apple users.