NAICS 485310 Quarterly Industry Report
Taxi Service
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 485310Sector: 48Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry report for NAICS 485310 draws on ground transportation data from the U.S. Census Bureau[5], employment statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6], and small business lending benchmarks from the Small Business Administration[7]. Fair Market Value compiles this NAICS 485310 profile to support valuation professionals assessing taxi fleet businesses, rideshare operations, and ground transportation companies. Our research team updates this content quarterly to reflect regulatory changes and market conditions.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the taxi service industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Taxi and Ridesharing Services (NAICS 485310) encompasses establishments providing passenger transportation on an individual, non-scheduled basis using automobiles, vans, and similar vehicles. The U.S. Census Bureau[5] classifies both traditional taxi cab operations dispatched from centralized fleets and app-based ridesharing platforms under this single code, reflecting their shared function of on-demand point-to-point ground transportation.
Traditional taxi operations rely on street hails, telephone dispatch, and taxi stand queues to connect drivers with passengers. Ridesharing platforms use mobile applications to match riders with independent contractor drivers in real time, creating a technology-driven model that has fundamentally reshaped the sector since the early 2010s. Revenue flows through metered fares, surge pricing algorithms, flat-rate airport transfers, and contracted corporate accounts. The distinction between employee-driver taxi fleets and independent-contractor rideshare networks creates different cost structures, with taxi companies bearing vehicle ownership and maintenance costs while rideshare platforms shift those expenses to drivers.
Regulatory frameworks vary dramatically by jurisdiction. Some cities maintain medallion systems that cap taxi supply, while others have adopted transportation network company regulations that set insurance minimums and driver background check requirements for rideshare operations. Labor classification disputes between platforms and drivers remain an active area of state and federal regulatory attention. Vehicle fleet composition ranges from purpose-built taxi sedans to personal vehicles meeting platform-specific age and condition standards.
What's Included in This Industry
- Traditional taxi cab dispatch and street-hail operations
- App-based ridesharing platform driver services
- Airport ground transportation taxi and rideshare queues
- Corporate account and contract taxi service
- Wheelchair-accessible taxi and rideshare vehicles
- Shared ride and ride-pooling services matching multiple passengers
- Premium black car service operated under taxi licensing
- Taxi fleet management and vehicle leasing to drivers
- Dispatch technology and ride-matching platform operations
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation | 485 |
| Industry Group | Taxi and Limousine Service | 4853 |
| NAICS Industry | Taxi and Ridesharing Services | 48531 |
| National Industry | Taxi and Ridesharing Services | 485310 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 485320 | Limousine Service | Limousine service providing premium sedan and SUV transportation on a prearranged basis, distinct from the on-demand taxi and rideshare model defining 485310 |
| 485999 | All Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation | All other transit and ground passenger transportation including airport shuttles and vanpool services that operate on semi-scheduled rather than on-demand routes |
| 485113 | Bus and Other Motor Vehicle Transit Systems | Bus transit systems providing fixed-route public transportation service, contrasted with the door-to-door on-demand model of taxi and rideshare operations |
| 485991 | Special Needs Transportation | Special needs transportation providing non-emergency medical and paratransit service for passengers requiring accessible vehicles and driver assistance |
| 485210 | Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation | Interurban bus service connecting cities on fixed schedules, while 485310 serves on-demand trips within metropolitan areas and to local destinations |
| 488999 | All Other Support Activities for Transportation | Other support activities for transportation including parking lot operations and vehicle towing, distinct from the passenger conveyance services in 485310 |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | 39.1% | 1,236 |
| 2 | California | 5.9% | 186 |
| 3 | Florida | 4.9% | 155 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 4.5% | 142 |
| 5 | New Jersey | 4.0% | 128 |
| 6 | Illinois | 3.9% | 124 |
| 7 | Wisconsin | 2.9% | 91 |
| 8 | Virginia | 2.5% | 79 |
| 9 | Texas | 2.5% | 78 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | 2.3% | 72 |
% Of Establishments
0%
39%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
256
Total SBA Loans
$17.6M
Total Loan Volume
$69K
Average Loan Size
10 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.70%
Average Interest Rate
616
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: The Small Business Administration[7] sets the size standard for NAICS 485310 at $19 million in average annual receipts, measured over the preceding five completed fiscal years. Traditional taxi fleet operators and small rideshare companies frequently qualify as small businesses, though the largest app-based platforms far exceed this threshold. Eligible firms can access SBA 7(a) loans[8] for vehicle fleet acquisition, dispatch technology upgrades, and working capital needs. The SBA 504 loan program[9] supports real estate purchases for maintenance garages and dispatch center facilities. Independent taxi operators may also access SBA microloans for individual vehicle financing.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northeast Bank | 64 | $4.6M | $72K |
| 2 | Live Oak Banking Company | 8 | $4.0M | $500K |
| 3 | TD Bank, National Association | 112 | $3.6M | $32K |
| 4 | The Huntington National Bank | 24 | $2.4M | $102K |
| 5 | Heritage Bank Inc | 8 | $1.2M | $150K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses fall under NAICS 485310?
This classification covers traditional taxi cab companies, app-based ridesharing platforms, independent taxi operators, and corporate ground transportation providers. Both fleet-owned taxi operations with employed drivers and technology platforms connecting independent contractor drivers with passengers fall under this code. The U.S. Census Bureau[5] groups these together based on their shared function of on-demand passenger transportation.
How is NAICS 485310 different from limousine service?
Taxi and ridesharing under 485310 primarily involves on-demand, unscheduled transportation where passengers request rides as needed. Limousine service under 485320 typically involves prearranged luxury transportation with higher-end vehicles, chauffeur service, and hourly or event-based pricing rather than metered fares. Some regulatory overlap exists, as premium rideshare tiers approach limousine service quality levels.
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 485310?
The Small Business Administration sets the size standard at $19 million in average annual receipts over five years. Most traditional taxi companies and small fleet operators qualify as small businesses under this threshold. Details are available in the SBA size standards table[10].
What NAICS codes are closely related to taxi and ridesharing?
Closely related codes include 485320 for limousine service, 485991 for special needs transportation, 485999 for other ground passenger services, and 485113 for urban bus transit. The on-demand nature and door-to-door service model distinguish 485310 from fixed-route transit and scheduled shuttle operations classified under other codes.
What industries are connected to taxi and rideshare services?
Connected industries include airport operations that generate concentrated ride demand, hospitality and tourism businesses that recommend ground transportation to guests, insurance companies providing commercial vehicle coverage, and vehicle leasing firms supplying fleet vehicles. Technology companies building dispatch software and ride-matching algorithms also play a central role in modern operations.
What activities are included in NAICS 485310?
Included activities cover taxi dispatch and street-hail service, app-based ride matching, airport ground transportation queues, corporate account management, shared ride pooling, wheelchair-accessible vehicle service, and fleet management including vehicle leasing to drivers. The U.S. Census Bureau[5] encompasses all forms of on-demand passenger transportation by automobile and similar vehicles.
Can taxi companies get SBA loans?
Taxi fleet operators and small ground transportation companies under the $19 million revenue threshold can access SBA financing. The 7(a) program[8] supports vehicle fleet purchases, dispatch technology, and working capital. Industry 504 program[9] finances garage and dispatch center real estate. Individual taxi operators may qualify for SBA microloans to finance vehicle acquisition and medallion costs where applicable.
Where are taxi and rideshare operations most concentrated?
Taxi and rideshare activity concentrates in the most densely populated metropolitan areas and at major airports. New York City maintains the largest traditional taxi fleet, while Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, and Miami support high rideshare volumes driven by population density and tourism. College towns, convention cities, and entertainment districts also generate above-average ride demand relative to their population size.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [6]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [7]Small Business Administration sba.gov
- [8]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [9]SBA 504 loan program sba.gov
- [10]SBA size standards table sba.gov
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