Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Taxi and Limousine Commission Chairman David Yassky and Corporation Counsel Michael A. Cardozo praised a ruling from the Appellate Division’s First Department that the City’s e-hail pilot program – allowing users to hail yellow cabs via smartphone apps – can proceed, ending a temporary restraining order that had blocked the program. In April, Manhattan State Court Justice Carol E. Huff ruled in favor of the program and dismissed a lawsuit brought by the black car industry. The petitioners, consisting of 10 industry groups representing the for-hire vehicle and livery industry and two individuals, subsequently appealed that ruling and obtained a temporary restraining order from an appellate court judge. Today’s decision vacates the restraining order and means that while the overall appeal case is argued, the program can proceed.

“In New York City in 2013, common sense and the free market say that you should be able to use your smart phone to get a cab, and that’s why we created a pilot program to allow users to do just that” said Mayor Bloomberg. “This decision will allow our e-hail program to move forward, and give New Yorkers another way to hail a cab. Some in the industry want to protect their business interests by blocking the use of new technology – but innovation is good for customers, and we will continue to encourage it.”

“Lifting the TRO was a good decision for all New Yorkers,” said Commissioner Yassky. “The positive feedback we've had from the short time our pilot program was up says loudly and clearly that riders want the e-hail option, and I am even more confident today that it will ultimately be available to them.”

“In lifting the temporary injunction against the implementation of the e-hail pilot, the court recognized that there is little merit to this appeal,” said Corporation Counsel Cardozo. “We’re very pleased the e-hail program can move forward during the duration of the case, and we remain confident that the pilot is completely proper.”