Uber, the occasionally embattled sedan hailing service, has launched a taxicab section of its app, according to an announcement today.
Up to now, Uber customers could only use the app to hail black sedans which have a base fee of $15. Now, customers can call a taxicab that charges on standard city meter rates, plus a fee of $2 set by the D.C. Taxicab Commission which goes to the driver.
The service will also charge an automatic 20 percent gratuity -- a possible incentive for drivers who might be hesitant to sign up.
It's unclear how easy it'll be to hire a cab through Uber -- according to the announcement, getting drivers on board will be a process: "Many taxis don’t fit Uber standards, so we are curating our supply pretty carefully."
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