Council addresses Uber concerns voiced by local taxi companies
City does not have jurisdiction to regulate/outlaw the ride-sharing company
City does not have jurisdiction to regulate/outlaw the ride-sharing companyOn Tuesday night, the Paso Robles City Council reviewed a report on Uber after local taxi drivers raised concerns over a new ride sharing service at a March city council meeting. The taxi drivers complained Uber is an unregulated business in direct competition with local taxi services. Uber, which started operating in Paso Robles about a year ago, is a smartphone app that allows consumers to submit a trip request which is then routed to drivers. As of last month, the service was available in 58 countries and 300 cities worldwide.
Currently, California law recognizes three modes of passenger transportation for compensation:
- Taxi services
- Charter-party carrier services
- Passenger-stage companies
The state delegates authority for regulation of taxi services to cities and counties. Presently, the city’s taxi ordinance requires local taxi drivers and owners to obtain a written permit before operating within the city.
The permitting process provides city discretion over permit approval and denial, and imposes fingerprinting and insurance requirements, among other things. The city taxi ordinance does not directly address or regulate Uber drivers operating in the city.
The California Legislature recently classified Uber as a sub-category of charter-party carriers. According to City Attorney Iris Yang, that classification puts Uber under the control of the Public Utilities Committee, meaning that the city would have no way to outlaw Uber from operating.
Mayor Steve Martin asked if it was true that other cities have outlawed Uber, and Yang said that currently, no cities in California have successfully outlawed the company, nor do they have the jurisdiction to, as they are solely regulated by the Public Utilities Committee.
The committee, has, however, imposed a number of new rules for operation for the company, including:
- Insurance requirements
- Background checks
- Training programs
- Zero-tolerance drug and alcohol policies
- Licence requirements for drivers
Yang told the council and the public that Uber is still a very new thing, and that the state is still in the process of determining regulation for the company and concept.
The council chose to unanimously accept and file the report, and will monitor future state actions regarding the issue.
Taxi service in PR is lacking. Uber can only provide a better experience for everyone. In wine country, with the increase of tourists here, having more options is a safer alternative – I don't think anyone can disagree with that. Have used Uber for years..so happy they are here.
My son uses Uber in Washington DC all the time (even though he has a car). It's great for younger people who use their smart phones as you sign up and get Uber as an app on your phone. You can see how far away your nearest Uber is located on a map, and they put the Uber driver's pictures on the app so you can identify them. The financial transaction is done on the phone. You don't have to tip. In DC, Uber is cheaper than a taxi.
It would be a great addition for tourists and people going to bars. If you drink too much, just call Uber to take you home or to your hotel.
Paso needs as much public transportation as it can get, and tourists are used to using it. Right now, we have one Taxi service that runs from 11 am to 2 am, one that has to come from San Luis Obispo, and one that seems to have more normal hours, 7am to 9pm.
Iris Yang seems to know her stuff, and she provided solid guidance to the council on this.
If the city wants to help keep regular Taxi service, they could lower city fees and provide a Taxi spot somewhere around the city park so Taxis are visible and available to tourists.
Taxi service in PR is lacking. Uber can only provide a better experience for everyone. In wine country, with the increase of tourists here, having more options is a safer alternative – I don't think anyone can disagree with that. Have used Uber for years..so happy they are here.
My son uses Uber in Washington DC all the time (even though he has a car). It's great for younger people who use their smart phones as you sign up and get Uber as an app on your phone. You can see how far away your nearest Uber is located on a map, and they put the Uber driver's pictures on the app so you can identify them. The financial transaction is done on the phone. You don't have to tip. In DC, Uber is cheaper than a taxi.
It would be a great addition for tourists and people going to bars. If you drink too much, just call Uber to take you home or to your hotel.
Paso needs as much public transportation as it can get, and tourists are used to using it. Right now, we have one Taxi service that runs from 11 am to 2 am, one that has to come from San Luis Obispo, and one that seems to have more normal hours, 7am to 9pm.
Iris Yang seems to know her stuff, and she provided solid guidance to the council on this.
If the city wants to help keep regular Taxi service, they could lower city fees and provide a Taxi spot somewhere around the city park so Taxis are visible and available to tourists.