OpenStreetCab: addressing the need for simplicity andtransparency in urban transport

The past five years have seen the Uber app emerge as a competitor for traditional taxi services in urban areas. Compared to taxis, Uber’s pricing is volatile and opaque, with users often having difficulty determining if their fare is actually cheaper. In order to address this problem, Anastasios Noulas and colleagues designed and launched the OpenStreetCab app, which uses open data to help users choose between Uber and Yellow Cabs in New York. Since its launch, OpenStreetCab has yielded an average estimated saving of $6 per journey across its users.