Los Angeles will consider launching an Uber clone in an attempt to keep its taxi drivers competitive with the car service startups that have grown rapidly in 2014.
The city's Board of Taxicab Commissioners will vote on whether to require its drivers to use an app, which would have hailing and payment options similar to those of Uber and Lyft, according to The Los Angeles Times. It is unclear whether the app would be custom built or tap existing apps.
Other cities are taking similar steps in an attempt to catch up to startup car services. In Washington, D.C., cabs are required to use the city's Universal DC TaxiApp, which drivers have welcomed. New York City is considering similar legislation.
Uber is particularly attractive in cities like Los Angeles, which are spread out and do not lend themselves to public transportation. Its services have helped make Los Angeles more livable, particularly for socializing.
The utility and demand for apps focused on car services has left cities in a difficult position. Representatives for the taxi industry have pushed hard for regulations to limit the startups' powers, but have found little success. Uber has been banned in some cities and faced pushback in others, including Madrid, where taxi drivers went on a 24-hour taxi strike.
