Published on Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Ride hailing app Juno shuts down NYC operations

Ride hailing app Juno has pulled the plug in New York City.

The 'sad news' of its demise is down to NYC's 'misguided regulations.'

New York City's Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) is implementing new regulations capping the number of app-based vehicles on the road and setting minimum pay rates for ride-share drivers.

The rules were in part designed to ease city congestion.

Juno's demise means a boon for Lyft.

Juno sealed a strategic partnership with Lyft to direct its customers to Lyft services.

Users of the Gett taxi app will be able to order Lyft-operated rides.

Juno owner Gett said it will instead focus on the corporate transportation market.

"This development reinforces Gett's strategy to build a profitable company focused on the corporate transportation sector, a market worth $1 trillion each year," the company said in a release.

Juno launched in New York City in 2016, marketing itself as a more friendlier alternative to Uber for drivers.

"Juno's closure in New York City is further evidence that the TLC's approach has created an uneven playing field that reduces choice for riders and drivers," Lyft said.