Hailo app begins offering taxi rides in New York City

Hailo has become the second startup after Uber to offer taxi hailing through an app in New York City, the company announced today. The companies are both part of a year-long pilot program run by the city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission that will determine the regulations surrounding the use of smartphone apps in the taxi industry. Such apps were technically illegal at this time last year, so the companies have had a long wait. Hailo even prematurely offered its service to some users before its participation in the pilot had been formally confirmed. The company is still calling the service a beta, but now anyone with an Android device or iPhone can use it.