The iconic New York yellow cab has fallen behind in the taxi rank. Figures released by the city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission have revealed that, for the first time there are now more registered Uber cars compared to yellow cabs which are outnumbered by just over five hundred.

Uber, which took to the streets of the Big Apple in 2011, claims its Uber X rides are often the same price or cheaper than the yellow cabs. But still the number of trips taken in the traditional taxi far outpace those in a Uber cab.

The popular mobile phone taxi-hailing services have mushroomed worldwide but have become a magnet for criticism over how the company pays drivers, charges passengers and ensures their safety.

Earlier this week a German court banned Uber from running services using unlicensed drivers and set stiff fines for any violations of local transport laws.

Protests by taxi drivers have clogged streets in cities in Europe and to date the company has been hit by court injunctions in Belg