Taxi drivers in Boston now can accept trip requests through Uber and Lyft under a new one-year pilot program unveiled Tuesday by the city and the Police Department.
The goal is to give passengers more options and to provide drivers who operate licensed taxis in Boston a share of the business generated by the ride-hail services, Mayor Michelle Wu and police Commissioner Michael Cox said in a statement.
The pilot, the first of its kind in Boston, allows e-hailing apps for licensed taxis, including Curb and ARRO, to interface directly with Uber and Lyft and enable trips requested through those platforms to be served by taxis.
The rides will use the same upfront pricing offered by the ride-hailing apps rather than regulated taxi meter fares set by the Boston Police Department, which is responsible for regulating taxis in the city, according to the statement.
Trips to and from Boston Logan International Airport are excluded from the pilot. Taxis hailed on the street or requested directly through taxi-specific apps will continue to charge customers based on the city’s regulated meter fares, according to the statement.
“This pilot will help Boston’s taxi industry participate fully in meeting demand, improve earnings for drivers, reduce wait times and improve the experience of drivers and the riding public,” Wu said in the statement. “We’re thankful for the collaboration and advocacy from our taxicab drivers to introduce this new transportation service, and excited to support the people who keep our city moving.”
Cox said the Police Department is “pleased to work with the taxi industry, Mayor Wu, and our City partners on this pilot to potentially expand opportunities for taxi drivers and choices for passengers.”
City Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune joined taxi drivers in advocating for the initiative.
“Boston taxi drivers are hardworking small business owners, including many immigrants, and this City pilot will help them better support their families and our local communities,” Louijeune said in the city’s statement. “I thank our taxi drivers for their advocacy and Mayor Wu and Commissioner Cox for helping deliver on this important update to support our local drivers, give riders more choice, and respond to major changes in the industry.”
During the one-year pilot, the city and participating taxi drivers and e-hail applications will evaluate changes in demand for taxis, along with feedback from passengers. Officials said they expect the program to significantly increase the number of rides provided by taxi drivers.
Balwinder Gill, a board member of the Boston Taxi Network and the owner-operator of a Boston taxi cab for 25 years, called the change “a major boost for taxi drivers in Boston and the passengers we serve.”
“We thank the city for partnering with taxi drivers to help our small businesses and deliver a better service for all Bostonians,” Gill said.
Under the terms of the pilot program, e-hailing companies must exclude airport trips. The Police Department will set additional exclusions for special events, according to the city’s statement.
Dorel Tamam, vice president of the Mobile Business Unit at Curb, said the company is thrilled to partner with Boston.
“Following continued success across several leading markets, this pilot represents an exciting opportunity to benefit drivers, riders, and the city’s broader mobility ecosystem,” Tamam said in the city’s statement. “We look forward to showing what Curb Flow can do for Boston.”
Ron Sherman, chief executive of CMT Group and ARRO, applauded the “decision to modernize the city’s taxi regulations.”
“These updates open new earning opportunities for Boston’s taxi drivers by expanding access to ride share demand,” Sherman said.
Messages were sent to Uber and Lyft seeking comment on the city’s new program Tuesday.
Tonya Alanez can be reached at tonya.alanez@globe.com. Follow her @talanez.