New York cabs get smart in battle with Uber

Two-pronged strategy: New York's iconic yellow cabs are transforming themselves into yellow minivans and making use of its own app to push back against Uber.

NEW YORK: As New York taxi drivers face surging competition from smartphone cab services, the traditional taxi force in the city that never sleeps is preparing to push back against the likes of Uber. 

Spearheading that effort are a spacious mini-van – being phased in as the city’s taxi firms renew their fleets – and a long-awaited phone app.