On Monday, the New York Taxi and Limousine Commission, which also regulates ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft, said it will propose a new rule to require an in-app tipping option for services that only accept credit cards. A recent petition by the Independent Drivers Guild, which represents a group of Uber drivers, prompted the agency to consider the issue.
Uber has resisted adding such a feature for years, arguing that it wants to keep its prices consistent and doesn't want passengers to feel obligated to tip by having the feature in its app. Following a settlement proposal in a driver classification lawsuit last year, Uber clarified that drivers are free to collect tips in other forms and have signs in their cars.