Local taxi drivers complain about Uber to city council
The new ride-sharing app Uber is rapidly growing, and it recently began to offer rides right here in San Luis County and in Paso Robles. The app allows riders to sign up for the service, call for drivers, and pay online; no cash handling involved, with both parties signing up through the Uber website or app on their phone. Drivers are not licensed taxi drivers, as it is considered a ride-sharing service.
At Tuesday night’s Paso Robles City Council meeting, taxi cab company owners and taxi drivers came before the council to collectively ask, “Is Uber exempt from the city’s laws?”
Justin Harmon of the taxi cab company Fetch got up to speak on the issue, saying that the ride-sharing app is clearly a taxi service, and as thus should comply to the same laws and restrictions that other local taxi companies do. “There is an issue of public safety,” he said. “Our riders are insured, we perform thorough background checks and drug testing; there is accountability,” he said.
Traditional taxi cab companies have to comply with laws and apply for permits. Hamon said the permit process isn’t easy; it’s a lengthy and expensive process. But has Uber found a loophole? Maybe so, according to Police Chief Robert Burton.
Taxi driver Douglas Shelby spoke out against what he called “unfair standards” at Tuesday’s meeting.
“Harmon brought this to us last week, so we are having staff review it and review the laws,” Burton said. “It’s not a black and white issue; it’s so new.”
“We invite competition, but we want an even playing field,” said taxi driver Douglas Shelby. “Portland has outlawed it, so has Las Vegas and other cities. It’s up to the city, it’s not a state thing. We can decide as a city if it’s something we want here,” he said.
Before any degree of action can be taken, it first needs to be determined if Uber is actually breaking any laws. “I’m not going to have my officers start pulling over Uber drivers and infringing on their rights,” said Burton.
Dan Indendi, owner of local taxi service A Ride Awaits also voiced concerns. He said he either wants them to comply with local taxi rules or ban them from the city.
The council agreed to place the topic onto a future agenda. Councilman Fred Strong requested a report be brought before the council prepared by the city manager and the police department. Councilmen Steve Gregory and John Hamon agreed that the topic needs addressing, “When the public comes up like this with concerns, they need to be addressed,” Hamon said.
I have used Uber twice, in Palm Springs. Loved it!!!!
You should be glad people are using this, I was hit by a drunk driver. I don't care how they get home as long as they don't drive.
This is LONG over due. So happy this service is FINALLY in our area. We have been waiting as patiently as possible. Now Fetch has some competition. He has had a captive 'audience' for so long and now he'll have to hustle a bit and rethink his current rate! All people want around here…in WINE COUNTRY…is a safe ride, not paying an arm and a leg to get one AND not always having to plan in advance. Some times you go out then decide to get a ride.
Uber is a great service, one that is badly needed here. Not sure how rigorous their background checks etc. are for their drivers, but have been using it for years in SF, SB and elsewhere with no problems.
Wait, there are taxi drivers in Paso? Other than Fetch(who is great by the way) the others rarely answer the phone when we call and if so its a long time til they show up. Looking only at it from a drinking establishments view point, my main concern is that patrons who didn't prepare by arranging a safe ride get home legally and safely. Alright nut jobs, now go ahead and blast me for being a drinking establishment and tell me how irresponsible all us drinking establishments are. I can take it 😉
Well all I care about is a Safe driver = Safe ride n Fetch has great drivers that have to be tested and checked out. Who knows who you will get driving you and your family, if it's some random person who is not even licensed or insured you have no idea . No thank you.
http://www.thesimpledollar.com/how-to-make-money-driving-for-uber/
This seems to sum up what is required pretty well. I happen to know the general counsel for Uber, and know that he would put safety above all else.
I have used Uber twice, in Palm Springs. Loved it!!!!
You should be glad people are using this, I was hit by a drunk driver. I don't care how they get home as long as they don't drive.
This is LONG over due. So happy this service is FINALLY in our area. We have been waiting as patiently as possible. Now Fetch has some competition. He has had a captive 'audience' for so long and now he'll have to hustle a bit and rethink his current rate! All people want around here…in WINE COUNTRY…is a safe ride, not paying an arm and a leg to get one AND not always having to plan in advance. Some times you go out then decide to get a ride.
Uber is a great service, one that is badly needed here. Not sure how rigorous their background checks etc. are for their drivers, but have been using it for years in SF, SB and elsewhere with no problems.
Wait, there are taxi drivers in Paso? Other than Fetch(who is great by the way) the others rarely answer the phone when we call and if so its a long time til they show up. Looking only at it from a drinking establishments view point, my main concern is that patrons who didn't prepare by arranging a safe ride get home legally and safely. Alright nut jobs, now go ahead and blast me for being a drinking establishment and tell me how irresponsible all us drinking establishments are. I can take it 😉
Well all I care about is a Safe driver = Safe ride n Fetch has great drivers that have to be tested and checked out. Who knows who you will get driving you and your family, if it's some random person who is not even licensed or insured you have no idea . No thank you.
http://www.thesimpledollar.com/how-to-make-money-driving-for-uber/
This seems to sum up what is required pretty well. I happen to know the general counsel for Uber, and know that he would put safety above all else.