Judge halts NYC taxi e-hailing a day after launch

(AP)—Hailing yellow cabs with smartphone apps is on hold in New York City a day after the experimental service began.

An appeals judge agreed Wednesday to bar e-hailing, at least temporarily. A panel of judges is expected to weigh the case later this month.

A lawyer for e-hail opponents says they're gratified and calls the program "fundamentally flawed" and illegal.

But Taxi and Limousine Commissioner David Yassky says the apps are "perfectly legal" and good for riders.

In December, the city OK'd a year-long test. Car service owners sued, saying it's unfair to them because they rely on pre-arranged fares and it's too broad to qualify as a test program.

A judge dismissed their lawsuit last week. They then went to the appellate court.

Uber Technologies launched an e-hail service Tuesday.

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