Can Sharing Rides Cut NYC's Fleet of 14,000 Taxis to 3,000?

There are nearly 14,000 taxis in New York City, and sometimes that doesn’t seem like enough. But in a new study from MIT, researchers suggest that just 3,000 ride-sharing vehicles—be it a traditional taxi, an Uber/Lyft car, or a future autonomous robo-cab—could do the same job if each accepted up to four passengers. And if all passengers were willing to share their rides with nine other strangers in return for less traffic and lower cost, the city would need just 2,000 of such vehicles.

That would be welcome news for cities like NYC, where gridlock has gotten so bad the city has proposed to implement congestion fees. It could also be a boon for cities like Los Angeles or London that are trying to cut down on urban smog from vehicle emissions. (Of course, whether ride-hailing services and ride-sharing apps actually ease traffic or make it worse is still a matter of vigorous debate, hinging in large part on whether taking certain fleets off the road encourages more people to drive their own car.)