In an apparent effort to make cab drivers less upset about Uber, Mayor Rahm Emanuel's office announced today that the city will be opening a competitive selection process to create a universal taxi app for Chicago. Upon its launch, you'll be able to order a cab from your smartphone. It will be just like other ride sharing apps, except much worse.
All licensed taxi drivers in the city will be required to use the app while on duty. According to a press release from the mayor's office, the new service "will increase customer access to all licensed taxis across the City of Chicago, especially in historically underserved communities where residents have difficulty finding a ride."
Connecting 2.7 million residents to 7,000 taxi cabs should be a walk in the park for the city. Everyone knows how great governments are at launching new technology services (see HealthCare.gov, Ventra).
"Technology knows no boundaries," said Emanuel regarding the new app. But if that's really the case, why isn't there an app to fix the city's pensions crisis or Chicago Public Schools' massive budget shortfall?