Rochester taxi company lowers rates for downtown service

In an effort to stay competitive with Uber and Lyft, a Rochester taxi service is cutting the cost to ride a cab downtown. 

Yellow Cab announced on Monday it will cap the rates for one-way service downtown at $7. That's in line with what transportation network companies — Uber and Lyft — charge. 

As part of the announcement, the business also revealed that Steve Elwood, owner of R&S Transport, will take over ownership of the company. Elwood reached a deal last month to buy out two former partners, Andy Chafoulias and Kurt Marquardt.

“Our customers are the focus of our business,” Elwood said in a news release. “We recognized that our customers needed more affordable rates and improved customer service.”

Uber and Lyft began hitting the streets in February after the city council adopted new regulations allowing TNCs to operate in town. At the request of cab companies, the council later agreed to ease some restrictions on taxi providers.

In addition to Yellow Cab, Rochester is also served by two other companies: Med City Taxi and RST Taxi.

Cover photo: Licensed / Canva