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"content": "\u003cp>The California Department of Motor Vehicles sent out a retraction Friday night of a \u003ca href=\"http://www.scribd.com/doc/253515604/DMV-memo-on-commercial-plates\" target=\"_blank\">memo it had issued\u003c/a> earlier this month that vehicles even occasionally used for commercial purposes -- like those driven for ride services such as Lyft and UberX -- would need to be registered as commercial vehicles.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That announcement had drawn a flurry of press coverage since it was first \u003ca href=\"http://www.buzzfeed.com/kenbensinger/ubers-auto-registration-gambit#.ot9qKw9RW\" target=\"_blank\">reported by BuzzFeed\u003c/a>. Switching registration of a personal vehicle to that of a commercial vehicle would add another layer of bureaucracy to signing up for ride-service work and potentially dissuade drivers from joining up. (You can \u003ca href=\"https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/wcm/connect/dd5e68f8-018a-4cb4-9d2b-eb75996e0f1a/reg590.pdf?MOD=AJPERES\" target=\"_blank\">see the necessary DMV form here\u003c/a>.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>BuzzFeed even called the requirement an \"existential threat\" to the ride-service industry, noting: \"For drivers to switch their registrations to comply with California law, they would have to pay to make the conversion to commercial status, and shell out for higher annual registration fees. In addition, commercial vehicles generally require commercial insurance, which costs as much as 10 times more than standard personal coverage.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Here's the announcement from the DMV tonight, switching course from its earlier position:\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>California DMV Director Jean Shiomoto this evening retracted Vehicle Industry News alert VIN 2015-01, which affected ride share operators for companies such as Uber, Lyft and Sidecar and issued the following statement:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Our responsibility is to notify the public of existing state law. In response to inquiries, the department issued an alert earlier this month that reflected the definition of a commercial vehicle under a 1935 law. However, there remains uncertainty about the interaction and effect of this law governing vehicle registration requirements with the more recent regulatory and statutory changes affecting ride share operators. We jumped the gun, and we shouldn’t have. The matter requires further review and analysis which the department is undertaking immediately.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the coming days, the DMV will be meeting with regulators and industry to continue working through this issue. Pending this further review, Vehicle Industry News alert VIN 2015-1, which affected ride share operators, is hereby revoked including any reference to the requirement of a commercial plate.\u003c/p>\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>The California Public Utilities Commission officially sanctioned ride services in 2013, creating a new category of vehicle-for-hire services called transportation network companies, which are now licensed by the CPUC under a set of regulations addressing safety, training, insurance coverage and other requirements.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In addition, legislation was passed last year by the California Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown that stiffened TNC insurance requirements and called on the insurance industry to create a new form of coverage specifically for TNC work. Neither the CPUC regulations nor the new law stipulated TNC vehicles must be registered as commercial vehicles.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When I spoke to the DMV earlier today, before the retraction, a spokesman said that stipulation was already on the books, since -- as stated above -- 1935. The DMV said it was merely issuing a clarification for the benefit of an increasing number of drivers and auto dealers who had been confused about the issue. A spokesman for the California Highway Patrol confirmed the commercial registration requirement but said it was impossible to determine if it had ever been enforced because CHP does not track citations for different types of registration violations, but rather lumps them all together.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Adding fuel to the fire yesterday, Assembly Republican Leader Kristin Olsen (R-Modesto) and Assemblywoman Ling Ling Chang (R-Diamond Bar) \u003ca href=\"http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/2015/01/assembly-gop-dmv-uber-commercial-license-plate.html\" target=\"_blank\">threatened\u003c/a> in a letter to the DMV and the CPUC to introduce legislation to amend the law unless the department exempted ride-service drivers from the commercial registration requirement.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Update, Jan. 26:\u003c/strong> We put in a request to the CPUC for its take on this issue. 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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In addition, legislation was passed last year by the California Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown that stiffened TNC insurance requirements and called on the insurance industry to create a new form of coverage specifically for TNC work. Neither the CPUC regulations nor the new law stipulated TNC vehicles must be registered as commercial vehicles.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When I spoke to the DMV earlier today, before the retraction, a spokesman said that stipulation was already on the books, since -- as stated above -- 1935. The DMV said it was merely issuing a clarification for the benefit of an increasing number of drivers and auto dealers who had been confused about the issue. A spokesman for the California Highway Patrol confirmed the commercial registration requirement but said it was impossible to determine if it had ever been enforced because CHP does not track citations for different types of registration violations, but rather lumps them all together.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Adding fuel to the fire yesterday, Assembly Republican Leader Kristin Olsen (R-Modesto) and Assemblywoman Ling Ling Chang (R-Diamond Bar) \u003ca href=\"http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/2015/01/assembly-gop-dmv-uber-commercial-license-plate.html\" target=\"_blank\">threatened\u003c/a> in a letter to the DMV and the CPUC to introduce legislation to amend the law unless the department exempted ride-service drivers from the commercial registration requirement.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Update, Jan. 26:\u003c/strong> We put in a request to the CPUC for its take on this issue. Here's the reply from CPUC Information Officer Andrew Kotch, which doesn't state an opinion on whether commercial or non-commercial registration is required, only that it \"comply with all state laws.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>CPUC rules and state statutes require TNC drivers to drive their own private vehicles, but do not specify a particular type of registration. It is the TNCs' responsibility to ensure their business model complies with all state laws. Most, if not all, TNCs require drivers to submit vehicle registration, insurance information, and a valid driver's license along with the TNC application, which provides TNCs an opportunity to verify legal registration.\u003c/p>\u003c/blockquote>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"content": "\u003cp>There's a battle for riders in San Francisco between the taxi industry and ride-service companies like Uber and Lyft, and it's heating up in time for New Year's Eve, expected to be one of the busiest nights of the year for the warring vehicle-for-hire industries.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Over the last few years, a growing number of people are choosing ride-service companies over taxis. A \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/09/17/2014/taxi_rides_san_francisco\" target=\"_blank\">report from San Francisco taxi officials\u003c/a> this fall showed taxi rides in the city are down by more than 60 percent over the last year, and many taxi drivers blame ride-service companies for the decline.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Uber and Lyft are expected to charge higher-than-normal prices New Year's Eve as part of a practice called surge pricing, when passengers can pay several times the amount of a usual ride when demand outstrips supply. The ride services say this encourages extra drivers to hit the streets. In fact, Uber announced on Tuesday that an average ride at 2 a.m. could be more than $100.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>P\u003ca href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/12/magazine/is-ubers-surge-pricing-an-example-of-high-tech-gouging.html\" target=\"_blank\">eople don't always like the final cost\u003c/a> of an Uber ride incurred during surge pricing. This New Year's Eve, taxis are hoping to grab those disgruntled customers with discounted or free rides. Flywheel, an app for hailing taxis, is offering a $10 flat rate for rides booked on the app between 8 p.m. and 3 a.m. Rides more than $50 will be charged the metered balance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Flywheel CFO Oneal Bhambani calls his app a bet on the taxi industry.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\"People will come back to Flywheel not for the $10 rides, they'll come back to Flywheel: a) because it's safe, b) it's always there, at 5 p.m. when you're coming home from work it's available, it's availabe during times of low demand and it's available at a predictable price,\" Bhambani says.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Jim Gillespie is the president and general manager of Yellow Cab, one of the largest taxi companies in San Francisco. He says hundreds of his drivers use Flywheel.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\"I think it's a great move just to go to the public and say surge pricing isn't a necessity, and we're here to serve the public without gouging them.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Gillespie also says companies like his need to change to keep up with Uber and Lyft, so he's focusing more on customer service.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\"We have a project where we've been doing things to do extra service to maintain our taxis, whether it be through cleaning them, replacing the seats, (the) kind of stuff that we've always done. But we've really stepped it up to make sure that we're providing a good product to the riding public.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>He also says they're working to improve service to the outer edges of the city, although he says the bigger problem with that is too few taxis on the road, a common complaint among cab companies, which make their money from renting cabs to drivers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>An even better deal for some cab passengers: Luxor is offering free rides anywhere within San Francisco on New Year's Eve courtesy of a personal injury firm, as long as the ride is booked through its dispatcher and you are picked up from a restaurant, hotel or bar downtown. Luxor's dispatch number is (415) 282-4141.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Both Uber and Lyft will donate a percentage of their New Year's Eve profits to Mothers Against Drunk Driving.\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>There's a battle for riders in San Francisco between the taxi industry and ride-service companies like Uber and Lyft, and it's heating up in time for New Year's Eve, expected to be one of the busiest nights of the year for the warring vehicle-for-hire industries.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Over the last few years, a growing number of people are choosing ride-service companies over taxis. A \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/09/17/2014/taxi_rides_san_francisco\" target=\"_blank\">report from San Francisco taxi officials\u003c/a> this fall showed taxi rides in the city are down by more than 60 percent over the last year, and many taxi drivers blame ride-service companies for the decline.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Uber and Lyft are expected to charge higher-than-normal prices New Year's Eve as part of a practice called surge pricing, when passengers can pay several times the amount of a usual ride when demand outstrips supply. The ride services say this encourages extra drivers to hit the streets. In fact, Uber announced on Tuesday that an average ride at 2 a.m. could be more than $100.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>P\u003ca href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/12/magazine/is-ubers-surge-pricing-an-example-of-high-tech-gouging.html\" target=\"_blank\">eople don't always like the final cost\u003c/a> of an Uber ride incurred during surge pricing. This New Year's Eve, taxis are hoping to grab those disgruntled customers with discounted or free rides. Flywheel, an app for hailing taxis, is offering a $10 flat rate for rides booked on the app between 8 p.m. and 3 a.m. Rides more than $50 will be charged the metered balance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Flywheel CFO Oneal Bhambani calls his app a bet on the taxi industry.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\"People will come back to Flywheel not for the $10 rides, they'll come back to Flywheel: a) because it's safe, b) it's always there, at 5 p.m. when you're coming home from work it's available, it's availabe during times of low demand and it's available at a predictable price,\" Bhambani says.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Jim Gillespie is the president and general manager of Yellow Cab, one of the largest taxi companies in San Francisco. He says hundreds of his drivers use Flywheel.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\"I think it's a great move just to go to the public and say surge pricing isn't a necessity, and we're here to serve the public without gouging them.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Gillespie also says companies like his need to change to keep up with Uber and Lyft, so he's focusing more on customer service.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\"We have a project where we've been doing things to do extra service to maintain our taxis, whether it be through cleaning them, replacing the seats, (the) kind of stuff that we've always done. But we've really stepped it up to make sure that we're providing a good product to the riding public.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>He also says they're working to improve service to the outer edges of the city, although he says the bigger problem with that is too few taxis on the road, a common complaint among cab companies, which make their money from renting cabs to drivers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>An even better deal for some cab passengers: Luxor is offering free rides anywhere within San Francisco on New Year's Eve courtesy of a personal injury firm, as long as the ride is booked through its dispatcher and you are picked up from a restaurant, hotel or bar downtown. Luxor's dispatch number is (415) 282-4141.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Both Uber and Lyft will donate a percentage of their New Year's Eve profits to Mothers Against Drunk Driving.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"content": "\u003cp>I worked in the so-called sharing economy for about a year, driving for the ride company Lyft. I was doing it to make \u003ca href=\"http://drivingwithstrangers.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a podcast\u003c/a>, and it was a convenient vehicle for that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But I had concerns. It seemed like the income kept falling and would keep falling if no one regulated the number of drivers. I was unsure about insurance coverage. Most of all, I felt like driving for Lyft was taking money out of the pockets of cab drivers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Current Lyft driver Dan Carrigan has some of the same concerns. He says he does not feel like his interests as an individual are a priority for the company, nor does he feel protected.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You can only trust a process to a certain extent,” Carrigan says. “Nobody is taking care of you in this business.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As someone with aspirations to be self-employed — an entrepreneur of some kind — Carrigan is drawn to the sharing economy. There seem to be all kinds of possibilities for people, like running errands on TaskRabbit, providing services through Fiverr, or cleaning houses for Handy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Carrigan started by trying to rent out his apartment on Airbnb, but he stopped because he was worried about getting evicted. So now he is driving for Lyft.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp> https://www.kqed.org/.stream/anon/radio/RDnews/2019/01/HarnettSharingEcoStruggles2014.mp3\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Carrigan says he drives to pay his bills. He was laid off from his previous job and wanted flexibility while he figured out what to do next. At first it seemed great, and he thought he could do it for a few years. But now he says he has realized there is not enough stability because as a driver he is replaceable.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You’re part of a pool, you are really part of a pool,” Carrigan says, “so if suddenly companies could pay much less to drivers, and there were still drivers willing to drive for that rate, they would. And the rates are going lower and lower and lower.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lyft Says It’s Listening\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Lyft says it listens to drivers, and that it has recently improved the tipping system. In the summer, Lyft let drivers keep all their earnings. But now it takes a 20 percent commission on each fare.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Lyft representative Katie Dally told KQED via email:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Lyft’s commission is 20 percent of each trip cost — and drivers keep 100 percent of tips from passengers. Lyft is also the only ridesharing platform to offer drivers an opportunity to earn a percentage of their weekly earnings as a bonus. The more drivers drive, the more they can earn, up to 20 percent.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In other words, if they drive enough, they earn back the commission.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Carrigan says he makes between $25 and $31 an hour, and that is before insurance, gas, taxes and car upkeep. It is less than I made a year ago, and Carrigan says the income continues to fall.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_10382936\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\" style=\"max-width: 400px\">\u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2015/12/RS13765_Dan-Carrigan.JPG.jpg-alt_209.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-10382936\" src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2015/12/RS13765_Dan-Carrigan.JPG.jpg-alt_209-400x300.jpg\" alt=\"Dan Carrigan drives for Lyft to help pay the bills. (Sam Harnett/KQED)\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2015/12/RS13765_Dan-Carrigan.JPG.jpg-alt_209-400x300.jpg 400w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2015/12/RS13765_Dan-Carrigan.JPG.jpg-alt_209-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2015/12/RS13765_Dan-Carrigan.JPG.jpg-alt_209.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dan Carrigan drives for Lyft to help pay the bills. (Sam Harnett/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>As for earning the bonuses for logging more hours, Carrigan says that makes it more like a regular job, which is not what he signed up for.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It would be nice to know that I could do this for a while without it changing,” Carrigan says, “but the way things are now, I’m looking for work.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Union Organizing Begins\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In Los Angeles, some drivers for Lyft’s competitor, Uber, are trying to organize a union so they can achieve more stability and a stronger voice within the company.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A local chapter of the Teamsters union is giving them support and advice. Teamsters spokesman Galen Munroe says that when it comes down to it, this is just the same old story — companies using part-time workers to cut costs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>These companies “don’t want the responsibilities or the costs associated with direct employees,” Munroe says, “and to a certain degree we feel that this is misclassification.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There is a fine line between contract worker and employee, and it is causing trouble for these new gig sites. Uber faces \u003ca href=\"http://www.scribd.com/doc/250503465/O-Connor-Et-Al-v-Uber-Technologies-Inc-Et-Al-11-12-14-Amended-Complaint\">lawsuits\u003c/a>, as does \u003ca href=\"http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Handy-com-housecleaners-lawsuit-could-rock-5891672.php\">Handy\u003c/a>. The \u003ca href=\"http://www.scribd.com/doc/250504957/O-Connor-Et-Al-v-Uber-Technologies-Inc-Et-Al-11-25-14-Defendant-s-Answer-to-Amended-Complaint\">claims\u003c/a> are that they control workers like employees, but do not give them benefits.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That is the dark side of these companies, says Gerald Friedman, economics professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Friedman adds that by cleverly branding this work as the sharing economy, these tech companies are normalizing what is really unprotected, deregulated contract labor.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Friedman says these tech platforms are “used to deny workers protections that we established in the New Deal era to protect people against unemployment, health crisis and to protect people’s work safety.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The way the gigs on these sites are pitched, Friedman says, sounds kind of like the worker utopia described by Karl Marx, where one could hunt in the morning, fish in the afternoon, and do criticism in the evening, without having to become a hunter, a fisherman or a critic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That kind of flexibility is desirable, he says, but in our modern capitalist society such gig work brings a harsh reality of less protection and more instability.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To that charge, Lyft makes the case that its workers can purchase health insurance on their own now, with the Affordable Care Act. And the \u003ca href=\"http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Lyft-plays-Whac-a-Mole-with-regulators-nationwide-5958762.php\">company says\u003c/a> drivers work for them precisely because they don’t want an employer, or because they already have one and just want to make money on the side. The point here is the freedom that Lyft provides.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Impacts on Taxi Drivers\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2013/11/07/taxis-lyft-ride-service-war-on-streets-of-san-francisco\">Of course what may be freedom for the ride-service drivers has impacts on others,\u003c/a> such as San Francisco cabbie Harbir Batth. He says taxi drivers in this city used to have the kind of gig advertised by these tech companies: flexible decent pay, plus even some protection and stability.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We never had a union. It is kind of a self-employed industry,” Batth says. “Everybody is divided. It’s a cash business, you know.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Now Batth says these new, less regulated companies are stealing his business and killing his profession. So, like those Uber drivers in L.A., Batth and others are unionizing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If you have done something for 25 or 30 years, you are old,” he says, “you have no other option. You can’t look for a change of career.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Batth has been driving a cab for 22 years, and in 2012, he finally got his dream: a medallion. It allows him to rent a cab to another person, so he can make income without having to drive. It cost $250,000, he says, and Batth borrowed money to make the down payment.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I thought I will retire after 10 years or so,” Batth says, “I thought I could pay off the loan and have a little income to live off of. But now it’s all down the drain.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Batth says he would sell the medallion if he could, but now nobody wants to buy one. With a child headed to college and another in third grade, plus the loan payments for the medallion, Batth says he has no option but to keep driving — for less money.\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>I worked in the so-called sharing economy for about a year, driving for the ride company Lyft. I was doing it to make \u003ca href=\"http://drivingwithstrangers.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a podcast\u003c/a>, and it was a convenient vehicle for that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But I had concerns. It seemed like the income kept falling and would keep falling if no one regulated the number of drivers. I was unsure about insurance coverage. Most of all, I felt like driving for Lyft was taking money out of the pockets of cab drivers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Current Lyft driver Dan Carrigan has some of the same concerns. He says he does not feel like his interests as an individual are a priority for the company, nor does he feel protected.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You can only trust a process to a certain extent,” Carrigan says. “Nobody is taking care of you in this business.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As someone with aspirations to be self-employed — an entrepreneur of some kind — Carrigan is drawn to the sharing economy. There seem to be all kinds of possibilities for people, like running errands on TaskRabbit, providing services through Fiverr, or cleaning houses for Handy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Carrigan started by trying to rent out his apartment on Airbnb, but he stopped because he was worried about getting evicted. So now he is driving for Lyft.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp> https://www.kqed.org/.stream/anon/radio/RDnews/2019/01/HarnettSharingEcoStruggles2014.mp3\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Carrigan says he drives to pay his bills. He was laid off from his previous job and wanted flexibility while he figured out what to do next. At first it seemed great, and he thought he could do it for a few years. But now he says he has realized there is not enough stability because as a driver he is replaceable.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You’re part of a pool, you are really part of a pool,” Carrigan says, “so if suddenly companies could pay much less to drivers, and there were still drivers willing to drive for that rate, they would. And the rates are going lower and lower and lower.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lyft Says It’s Listening\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Lyft says it listens to drivers, and that it has recently improved the tipping system. In the summer, Lyft let drivers keep all their earnings. But now it takes a 20 percent commission on each fare.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Lyft representative Katie Dally told KQED via email:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Lyft’s commission is 20 percent of each trip cost — and drivers keep 100 percent of tips from passengers. Lyft is also the only ridesharing platform to offer drivers an opportunity to earn a percentage of their weekly earnings as a bonus. The more drivers drive, the more they can earn, up to 20 percent.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In other words, if they drive enough, they earn back the commission.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Carrigan says he makes between $25 and $31 an hour, and that is before insurance, gas, taxes and car upkeep. It is less than I made a year ago, and Carrigan says the income continues to fall.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_10382936\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\" style=\"max-width: 400px\">\u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2015/12/RS13765_Dan-Carrigan.JPG.jpg-alt_209.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-10382936\" src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2015/12/RS13765_Dan-Carrigan.JPG.jpg-alt_209-400x300.jpg\" alt=\"Dan Carrigan drives for Lyft to help pay the bills. (Sam Harnett/KQED)\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2015/12/RS13765_Dan-Carrigan.JPG.jpg-alt_209-400x300.jpg 400w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2015/12/RS13765_Dan-Carrigan.JPG.jpg-alt_209-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2015/12/RS13765_Dan-Carrigan.JPG.jpg-alt_209.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dan Carrigan drives for Lyft to help pay the bills. (Sam Harnett/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>As for earning the bonuses for logging more hours, Carrigan says that makes it more like a regular job, which is not what he signed up for.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It would be nice to know that I could do this for a while without it changing,” Carrigan says, “but the way things are now, I’m looking for work.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Union Organizing Begins\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In Los Angeles, some drivers for Lyft’s competitor, Uber, are trying to organize a union so they can achieve more stability and a stronger voice within the company.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A local chapter of the Teamsters union is giving them support and advice. Teamsters spokesman Galen Munroe says that when it comes down to it, this is just the same old story — companies using part-time workers to cut costs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>These companies “don’t want the responsibilities or the costs associated with direct employees,” Munroe says, “and to a certain degree we feel that this is misclassification.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There is a fine line between contract worker and employee, and it is causing trouble for these new gig sites. Uber faces \u003ca href=\"http://www.scribd.com/doc/250503465/O-Connor-Et-Al-v-Uber-Technologies-Inc-Et-Al-11-12-14-Amended-Complaint\">lawsuits\u003c/a>, as does \u003ca href=\"http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Handy-com-housecleaners-lawsuit-could-rock-5891672.php\">Handy\u003c/a>. The \u003ca href=\"http://www.scribd.com/doc/250504957/O-Connor-Et-Al-v-Uber-Technologies-Inc-Et-Al-11-25-14-Defendant-s-Answer-to-Amended-Complaint\">claims\u003c/a> are that they control workers like employees, but do not give them benefits.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That is the dark side of these companies, says Gerald Friedman, economics professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Friedman adds that by cleverly branding this work as the sharing economy, these tech companies are normalizing what is really unprotected, deregulated contract labor.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Friedman says these tech platforms are “used to deny workers protections that we established in the New Deal era to protect people against unemployment, health crisis and to protect people’s work safety.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The way the gigs on these sites are pitched, Friedman says, sounds kind of like the worker utopia described by Karl Marx, where one could hunt in the morning, fish in the afternoon, and do criticism in the evening, without having to become a hunter, a fisherman or a critic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That kind of flexibility is desirable, he says, but in our modern capitalist society such gig work brings a harsh reality of less protection and more instability.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To that charge, Lyft makes the case that its workers can purchase health insurance on their own now, with the Affordable Care Act. And the \u003ca href=\"http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Lyft-plays-Whac-a-Mole-with-regulators-nationwide-5958762.php\">company says\u003c/a> drivers work for them precisely because they don’t want an employer, or because they already have one and just want to make money on the side. The point here is the freedom that Lyft provides.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Impacts on Taxi Drivers\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2013/11/07/taxis-lyft-ride-service-war-on-streets-of-san-francisco\">Of course what may be freedom for the ride-service drivers has impacts on others,\u003c/a> such as San Francisco cabbie Harbir Batth. He says taxi drivers in this city used to have the kind of gig advertised by these tech companies: flexible decent pay, plus even some protection and stability.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We never had a union. It is kind of a self-employed industry,” Batth says. “Everybody is divided. It’s a cash business, you know.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Now Batth says these new, less regulated companies are stealing his business and killing his profession. So, like those Uber drivers in L.A., Batth and others are unionizing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If you have done something for 25 or 30 years, you are old,” he says, “you have no other option. You can’t look for a change of career.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Batth has been driving a cab for 22 years, and in 2012, he finally got his dream: a medallion. It allows him to rent a cab to another person, so he can make income without having to drive. It cost $250,000, he says, and Batth borrowed money to make the down payment.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I thought I will retire after 10 years or so,” Batth says, “I thought I could pay off the loan and have a little income to live off of. But now it’s all down the drain.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Batth says he would sell the medallion if he could, but now nobody wants to buy one. With a child headed to college and another in third grade, plus the loan payments for the medallion, Batth says he has no option but to keep driving — for less money.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"content": "\u003cp>Every once in a while, we like to do a roundup of what's happening in terms of the great ride-service war going on around the country. Uber and Lyft, both based in San Francisco, keep expanding wherever they can, but they also continue to run into regulatory roadblocks in some cities -- and also continue, of course, to draw the ire of local cab companies.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For what it's worth, R Street, a conservative think tank, has issued a \u003ca href=\"http://www.rstreet.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/RSTREET29.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">report that grades various cities\u003c/a> based on a set of criteria indicating \"TNC friendliness.\" San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland all gets A's. (Though in San Francisco, it wasn't for want of trying. The SFMTA has submitted many comments to the California Public Utilities Commission -- Uber and Lyft's regulator -- calling for more regulation.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So which are the cities that get F's (or, conversely, A's from the cab industry)? They are:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Jacksonville\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Kansas City\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Las Vegas\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Omaha\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Philadelphia\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Phoenix\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Portland\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>San Antonio\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Here's a little taste of this week's developments in this particular sector of the \"sharing economy.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Chattanooga\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2014/nov/12/uber-meets-with-local-drivers-todayas-ride/\">Uber meets with local drivers today as ride-sharing service eyes Chattanooga market\u003c/a> (Chattanooga Times Free Press)\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>Uber appears ready to bring its technology-based transport service to Chattanooga, which brags that it offers the fastest Internet service for such apps in the Western Hemisphere as America's first \"Gig City.\" ... Uber has yet to approach Chattanooga's Transportation Authority, formerly the city taxi board, to obtain city licenses required by taxi carriers to service the city. Chattanooga Police Officer Charles Topping said the city has not talked with anyone from Uber, although the city attorney's office is still studying whether the ride-sharing program by Uber would be governed by the transportation authority.\u003c/p>\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Cincinnati\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2014/11/11/cvg-bans-uber-lyft/18863927/\">Uber, Lyft must have permit at airport\u003c/a> (Cincinnati Enquirer)\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>Uber and Lyft have never been allowed to pick-up customers at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport – and now signs have been posted around the terminal informing fliers about the rule. CVG officials released a statement Tuesday about the ban on the popular ride-sharing companies, just hours after someone posted a photo of a sign on the social media site Reddit.com.\u003c/p>\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Houston\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/City-to-allow-ride-share-operators-at-Houston-5888089.php\">City to allow ride-share operators at Houston airports\u003c/a> (Houston Chronicle)\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>App-based ride service companies such as Uber will be allowed to pick up passengers at Houston airports under rules City Council approved Wednesday. The Houston rules are similar to those in Nashville, Tenn., requiring the app-based companies to build a virtual fence, get airport-specific permits and pay set fees for rides originating from Houston Airport System facilities. The companies will be responsible for the same fees taxi drivers are currently charged - $2.75 at Bush Intercontinental and $1.25 at Hobby per departing ride.\"\u003c/p>\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Las Vegas\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.jrn.com/ktnv/news/Las-Vegas-cab-drivers-protest-Uber-282526751.html\">Las Vegas cab drivers protest Uber\u003c/a> (ABC 13 Las Vegas)\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>Just days before Uber heads back to court to fight to stay in Las Vegas, local taxicab drivers protested on the Las Vegas Strip. Dozens of cab drivers filed in a single line in the center lane of Las Vegas Boulevard on Wednesday evening. They want Uber to follow the same industry regulations they do.\u003c/p>\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Madison\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/city-hall/committee-recommends-tight-regulation-of-ride-sharing-companies-uber-lyft/article_1b171ae6-5fe1-5346-ac61-dc4ed9255c76.html\">Committee recommends tight regulation of ride-sharing companies Uber, Lyft\u003c/a> (Wisconsin State Journal)\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>Uber and Lyft would face high insurance requirements, have to operate around the clock and be barred from using “surge” pricing during peak demand times if Madison City Council members regulate them the way a city subcommittee recommended Tuesday. One taxi official applauded the recommendations, saying they amounted to a good start in regulating ride-sharing companies, but the companies were far more critical.\u003c/p>\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>New York\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.buzzfeed.com/johanabhuiyan/exclusive-ny-attorney-general-comes-out-against-rules-that-w\">NY Attorney General Comes Out Against Rules That Would Limit Uber And Lyft\u003c/a> (BuzzFeed)\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>In a letter last Friday to the New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) obtained by BuzzFeed News, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman took a formal stand against a proposed rule that would largely limit the way app-based car services like Uber and Lyft operate in New York. Schneiderman wrote that the proposed rules, as written, would unfairly limit competition. “From a competitive standpoint, these advances may lower the costs of entry for new for-hire vehicle services and encourage existing services to compete more effectively for both drivers and passengers.” The proposed ruling — which would prevent a base from dispatching a driver that was affiliated with another base (unless there was a formal agreement between the two bases) — would effectively limit Lyft’s supply of drivers to the 10 that are affiliated with the company’s base in New York. The one way around this is if other bases agree to allow their drivers to also drive for Lyft.\u003c/p>\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Philadelphia\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.philly.com/philly/business/transportation/20141114_PUC_approves_Uber_for_state__not_Philadelphia.html\">PUC approves UberX for state, not Philadelphia\u003c/a> (Philadelphia Inquirer)\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>UberX, the controversial ride-sharing service, won approval Thursday to operate in most of Pennsylvania, but not in Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission, which regulates taxi and limousine service in every county except Philadelphia, overruled its staff in a split decision, deciding that UberX can operate statewide for two years, if it meets requirements for auto insurance, driver background checks, and financial reporting. However, the order does not apply to Philadelphia, where the Philadelphia Parking Authority regulates taxi service. The PPA has been aggressively opposing UberX service, in which riders electronically summon private drivers in their personal cars.\u003c/p>\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Pittsburgh\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.post-gazette.com/business/2014/11/13/Uber-gets-license-approval-from-Pennsylvania-PUC/stories/201411130305\">PUC grants Uber license to operate experimental service\u003c/a> (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>Despite a recommendation from two administrative law judges that ride sharing company Uber be denied approval to operate in Allegheny County, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission today granted the San Francisco-based ride sharing company a two-year experimental license. The commissioners also granted Uber a similar license to operate in other parts of Pennsylvania, excluding Philadelphia. The vote was 4-1 with vice chairman John Coleman dissenting.\u003c/p>\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Portland\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.opb.org/news/article/uber-launches-in-portland-suburbs-but-not-portland/\">Uber Launches in Portland Suburbs, But Not Portland\u003c/a> (OPB)\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>The rideshare app Uber announced today it is launching in four cities in the Portland metro area. They are Tigard, Hillsboro, Gresham, and Beaverton. ... Portland currently bans non-taxi ride services like Uber. But the City’s Department of Transportation says it is overhauling its taxi rules and regulations, and might consider ridesharing services in the future.\u003c/p>\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>San Antonio\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.sacurrent.com/Blogs/archives/2014/11/10/uber-and-lyft-are-on-the-public-safety-committee-agenda-again\" target=\"_blank\">Council to discuss new rules for Uber, Lyft\u003c/a> (KSAT San Antonio)\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>The San Antonio City Council’s Public Safety Committee voted Wednesday to send a host of policy recommendations to the entire City Council for discussion.The issue will be heard by the entire council on Dec. 3. The recommendations would amend Chapter 33 of the city’s code, which governs the local vehicle-for-hire industry. Despite multiple cease-and-desist orders, drivers for transportation companies such as Uber and Lyft continue to operate in San Antonio illegally. So far, seven drivers have received citations and several cars have been impounded.\u003c/p>\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>St. Louis\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/blog/biznext/2014/11/one-month-in-uber-ready-to-launch-uberx-in-st.html\">One month in, Uber ready to launch UberX in St. Louis\u003c/a> (St. Louis)\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>Now operational in St. Louis for just more than a month, Uber officials said reception to its Uber Black service has been positive. Furthermore, Uber Associate General Manager Sagar Shah said the company is ready to start talking about bringing its UberX service to town.\u003c/p>\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Washington D.C.\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/11/12/free-market-advocates-say-d-c-is-the-uber-friendliest-city-in-the-nation/\">Free market advocates say D.C. is the Uber-friendliest city in the nation\u003c/a> (Wonkblog)\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>Cities have responded to new transportation providers like Uber and Lyft in wildly differing ways, with open arms, or cease-and-desist letters, preemptive bans or legal blessings. If you're someone who travels a lot (or a lobbyist charged with navigating all these places), it's a little hard to keep track of who's in favor of these companies and who's not. So here is a \u003ca href=\"http://www.rstreet.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/RSTREET29.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">scorecard\u003c/a>, courtesy of the free-market think tank R Street, which has graded the 50 largest cities in the country on how how friendly and open their transportation markets are to newcomers like Uber and Lyft, as well as their traditional competitors, taxis and limos. By R Street's counting, Washington, D.C., has the freest transportation market in the country..\u003c/p>\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Wilmington\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.wdel.com/story.php?id=63984\">Uber likely coming to Wilmington early next year\u003c/a> (WDEL)\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>An alternative to catching a cab may be coming to Wilmington. \"Sometimes, there's a long time and difficult time to get cabs here. I've heard those complaints over and over again.\" That's why Mayor Williams wants ridesharing service Uber to hit the streets of Wilmington. He tells WDEL he began discussions with the San Francisco-based service a few weeks ago.\u003c/p>\u003c/blockquote>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Every once in a while, we like to do a roundup of what's happening in terms of the great ride-service war going on around the country. Uber and Lyft, both based in San Francisco, keep expanding wherever they can, but they also continue to run into regulatory roadblocks in some cities -- and also continue, of course, to draw the ire of local cab companies.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For what it's worth, R Street, a conservative think tank, has issued a \u003ca href=\"http://www.rstreet.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/RSTREET29.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">report that grades various cities\u003c/a> based on a set of criteria indicating \"TNC friendliness.\" San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland all gets A's. (Though in San Francisco, it wasn't for want of trying. The SFMTA has submitted many comments to the California Public Utilities Commission -- Uber and Lyft's regulator -- calling for more regulation.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So which are the cities that get F's (or, conversely, A's from the cab industry)? They are:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Jacksonville\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Kansas City\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Las Vegas\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Omaha\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Philadelphia\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Phoenix\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Portland\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>San Antonio\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Here's a little taste of this week's developments in this particular sector of the \"sharing economy.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Chattanooga\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2014/nov/12/uber-meets-with-local-drivers-todayas-ride/\">Uber meets with local drivers today as ride-sharing service eyes Chattanooga market\u003c/a> (Chattanooga Times Free Press)\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>Uber appears ready to bring its technology-based transport service to Chattanooga, which brags that it offers the fastest Internet service for such apps in the Western Hemisphere as America's first \"Gig City.\" ... Uber has yet to approach Chattanooga's Transportation Authority, formerly the city taxi board, to obtain city licenses required by taxi carriers to service the city. Chattanooga Police Officer Charles Topping said the city has not talked with anyone from Uber, although the city attorney's office is still studying whether the ride-sharing program by Uber would be governed by the transportation authority.\u003c/p>\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Cincinnati\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2014/11/11/cvg-bans-uber-lyft/18863927/\">Uber, Lyft must have permit at airport\u003c/a> (Cincinnati Enquirer)\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>Uber and Lyft have never been allowed to pick-up customers at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport – and now signs have been posted around the terminal informing fliers about the rule. CVG officials released a statement Tuesday about the ban on the popular ride-sharing companies, just hours after someone posted a photo of a sign on the social media site Reddit.com.\u003c/p>\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Houston\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/City-to-allow-ride-share-operators-at-Houston-5888089.php\">City to allow ride-share operators at Houston airports\u003c/a> (Houston Chronicle)\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>App-based ride service companies such as Uber will be allowed to pick up passengers at Houston airports under rules City Council approved Wednesday. The Houston rules are similar to those in Nashville, Tenn., requiring the app-based companies to build a virtual fence, get airport-specific permits and pay set fees for rides originating from Houston Airport System facilities. The companies will be responsible for the same fees taxi drivers are currently charged - $2.75 at Bush Intercontinental and $1.25 at Hobby per departing ride.\"\u003c/p>\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Las Vegas\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.jrn.com/ktnv/news/Las-Vegas-cab-drivers-protest-Uber-282526751.html\">Las Vegas cab drivers protest Uber\u003c/a> (ABC 13 Las Vegas)\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>Just days before Uber heads back to court to fight to stay in Las Vegas, local taxicab drivers protested on the Las Vegas Strip. Dozens of cab drivers filed in a single line in the center lane of Las Vegas Boulevard on Wednesday evening. They want Uber to follow the same industry regulations they do.\u003c/p>\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Madison\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/city-hall/committee-recommends-tight-regulation-of-ride-sharing-companies-uber-lyft/article_1b171ae6-5fe1-5346-ac61-dc4ed9255c76.html\">Committee recommends tight regulation of ride-sharing companies Uber, Lyft\u003c/a> (Wisconsin State Journal)\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>Uber and Lyft would face high insurance requirements, have to operate around the clock and be barred from using “surge” pricing during peak demand times if Madison City Council members regulate them the way a city subcommittee recommended Tuesday. One taxi official applauded the recommendations, saying they amounted to a good start in regulating ride-sharing companies, but the companies were far more critical.\u003c/p>\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>New York\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.buzzfeed.com/johanabhuiyan/exclusive-ny-attorney-general-comes-out-against-rules-that-w\">NY Attorney General Comes Out Against Rules That Would Limit Uber And Lyft\u003c/a> (BuzzFeed)\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>In a letter last Friday to the New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) obtained by BuzzFeed News, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman took a formal stand against a proposed rule that would largely limit the way app-based car services like Uber and Lyft operate in New York. Schneiderman wrote that the proposed rules, as written, would unfairly limit competition. “From a competitive standpoint, these advances may lower the costs of entry for new for-hire vehicle services and encourage existing services to compete more effectively for both drivers and passengers.” The proposed ruling — which would prevent a base from dispatching a driver that was affiliated with another base (unless there was a formal agreement between the two bases) — would effectively limit Lyft’s supply of drivers to the 10 that are affiliated with the company’s base in New York. The one way around this is if other bases agree to allow their drivers to also drive for Lyft.\u003c/p>\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Philadelphia\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.philly.com/philly/business/transportation/20141114_PUC_approves_Uber_for_state__not_Philadelphia.html\">PUC approves UberX for state, not Philadelphia\u003c/a> (Philadelphia Inquirer)\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>UberX, the controversial ride-sharing service, won approval Thursday to operate in most of Pennsylvania, but not in Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission, which regulates taxi and limousine service in every county except Philadelphia, overruled its staff in a split decision, deciding that UberX can operate statewide for two years, if it meets requirements for auto insurance, driver background checks, and financial reporting. However, the order does not apply to Philadelphia, where the Philadelphia Parking Authority regulates taxi service. The PPA has been aggressively opposing UberX service, in which riders electronically summon private drivers in their personal cars.\u003c/p>\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Pittsburgh\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.post-gazette.com/business/2014/11/13/Uber-gets-license-approval-from-Pennsylvania-PUC/stories/201411130305\">PUC grants Uber license to operate experimental service\u003c/a> (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>Despite a recommendation from two administrative law judges that ride sharing company Uber be denied approval to operate in Allegheny County, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission today granted the San Francisco-based ride sharing company a two-year experimental license. The commissioners also granted Uber a similar license to operate in other parts of Pennsylvania, excluding Philadelphia. The vote was 4-1 with vice chairman John Coleman dissenting.\u003c/p>\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Portland\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.opb.org/news/article/uber-launches-in-portland-suburbs-but-not-portland/\">Uber Launches in Portland Suburbs, But Not Portland\u003c/a> (OPB)\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>The rideshare app Uber announced today it is launching in four cities in the Portland metro area. They are Tigard, Hillsboro, Gresham, and Beaverton. ... Portland currently bans non-taxi ride services like Uber. But the City’s Department of Transportation says it is overhauling its taxi rules and regulations, and might consider ridesharing services in the future.\u003c/p>\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>San Antonio\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.sacurrent.com/Blogs/archives/2014/11/10/uber-and-lyft-are-on-the-public-safety-committee-agenda-again\" target=\"_blank\">Council to discuss new rules for Uber, Lyft\u003c/a> (KSAT San Antonio)\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>The San Antonio City Council’s Public Safety Committee voted Wednesday to send a host of policy recommendations to the entire City Council for discussion.The issue will be heard by the entire council on Dec. 3. The recommendations would amend Chapter 33 of the city’s code, which governs the local vehicle-for-hire industry. Despite multiple cease-and-desist orders, drivers for transportation companies such as Uber and Lyft continue to operate in San Antonio illegally. So far, seven drivers have received citations and several cars have been impounded.\u003c/p>\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>St. Louis\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/blog/biznext/2014/11/one-month-in-uber-ready-to-launch-uberx-in-st.html\">One month in, Uber ready to launch UberX in St. Louis\u003c/a> (St. Louis)\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>Now operational in St. Louis for just more than a month, Uber officials said reception to its Uber Black service has been positive. Furthermore, Uber Associate General Manager Sagar Shah said the company is ready to start talking about bringing its UberX service to town.\u003c/p>\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Washington D.C.\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/11/12/free-market-advocates-say-d-c-is-the-uber-friendliest-city-in-the-nation/\">Free market advocates say D.C. is the Uber-friendliest city in the nation\u003c/a> (Wonkblog)\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>Cities have responded to new transportation providers like Uber and Lyft in wildly differing ways, with open arms, or cease-and-desist letters, preemptive bans or legal blessings. If you're someone who travels a lot (or a lobbyist charged with navigating all these places), it's a little hard to keep track of who's in favor of these companies and who's not. So here is a \u003ca href=\"http://www.rstreet.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/RSTREET29.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">scorecard\u003c/a>, courtesy of the free-market think tank R Street, which has graded the 50 largest cities in the country on how how friendly and open their transportation markets are to newcomers like Uber and Lyft, as well as their traditional competitors, taxis and limos. By R Street's counting, Washington, D.C., has the freest transportation market in the country..\u003c/p>\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Wilmington\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.wdel.com/story.php?id=63984\">Uber likely coming to Wilmington early next year\u003c/a> (WDEL)\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>An alternative to catching a cab may be coming to Wilmington. \"Sometimes, there's a long time and difficult time to get cabs here. I've heard those complaints over and over again.\" That's why Mayor Williams wants ridesharing service Uber to hit the streets of Wilmington. He tells WDEL he began discussions with the San Francisco-based service a few weeks ago.\u003c/p>\u003c/blockquote>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"content": "\u003cp>And in non-election news today ...\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Over the weekend, a \u003ca href=\"http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Fatal-accident-tests-Lyft-s-1-million-5867623.php\" target=\"_blank\">passenger riding in a Lyft vehicle was killed\u003c/a> in a crash on Interstate 80, the first fatality connected to a vehicle driven by one of the company's drivers. An insurance industry group told the Chronicle the company's policy should cover the accident. Ride-service company insurance became a big issue after an UberX driver killed 6-year-old Sofia Liu on New Year's Eve last year. (\u003cstrong>SF Chronicle\u003c/strong>)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>A new USC Dornsife/LA Times poll shows \u003ca href=\"http://www.sfweekly.com/thesnitch/2014/11/04/confirmed-californians-really-arent-that-worried-about-catching-ebola\" target=\"_blank\">Californians are taking a mellow approach\u003c/a> to the Ebola scare. Just 18 percent of those surveyed said they were \"somewhat worried\" and 12 percent said they were \"very worried.\" In other findings, 97 percent of those who had watched cable news within the last month had yet to remove the covers from over their heads. (Well, not really.) (\u003cstrong>SF Weekly\u003c/strong>)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>HomeAway, a competitor of Airbnb, is not happy about the recently passed law regulating short-term rentals, and the company is expressing said unhappiness in the \u003ca href=\"http://blog.sfgate.com/techchron/2014/11/03/homeaway-sues-sf-over-airbnb-law/\" target=\"_blank\">form of a lawsuit\u003c/a>. HomeAway has maintained that the law favors Airbnb because it requires renters to be permanent residents. Unlike Airbnb, most of HomeAway's listings are second homes owned by owners who don't live in the city year-round. The law also requires short-term rental sites to collect hotel tax, which HomeAway says it has no way of doing. Airbnb supports the law. (\u003cstrong>SF Chronicle\u003c/strong>)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>A \u003ca href=\"http://www.sfexaminer.com/sanfrancisco/police-make-arrest-of-chinese-national-in-blessing-scam/Content?oid=2911072\" target=\"_blank\">Chinese national has been arrested\u003c/a> and is awaiting extradition to San Francisco in connection with four so-called blessing scam incidents. Perpetrators of the scam exploit the superstitions of elderly Chinese by identifying them as suffering from an illness or curse. The fraud has been ongoing over the \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2012/09/06/dozens-of-elderly-east-asian-women-defrauded-in-evil-spirits-scam\" target=\"_blank\">last several years\u003c/a>, and victims have lost thousands of dollars in cash and jewelry. (\u003cstrong>SF Examiner\u003c/strong>)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>In other news to make you feel like solving today's Sudoku puzzle maybe isn't such a big accomplishment after all, an eighth-grader who goes to school in San Jose is now the \u003ca href=\"http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_26860580/13-year-old-entrepreneur-raises-vc-funding-braille\" target=\"_blank\">youngest tech entrepreneur to receive venture capital funding\u003c/a>, according to the \u003cstrong>San Jose Mercury News\u003c/strong>. Shubham Banerjee, 13, is the founder of Braigo Labs, which is trying to develop a low-cost Braille printer.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>You know that World Wide Web thingie you're looking at right now? Its inventor, Tim Berners-Lee, \u003ca href=\"http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_26844823/q-tim-berners-lee-professor-inventor-world-wide\" target=\"_blank\">answered a few questions\u003c/a> for the \u003cstrong>San Jose Mercury News\u003c/strong> recently. Responding to a query about the shift in computing to mobile, he said, \"It's not just the smartphone... People will be using ultra-high-resolution TVs as a Web browsing screen.\" He also said with the current web standard, HTML 5, the difference between running web content as an app or using its web version has become minor.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>You probably don't care, but today's election \u003ca href=\"http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/election/article3547884.html\" target=\"_blank\">might set a California record for apathy\u003c/a>.\u003cstrong> (Sacramento Bee)\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>And in non-election news today ...\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Over the weekend, a \u003ca href=\"http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Fatal-accident-tests-Lyft-s-1-million-5867623.php\" target=\"_blank\">passenger riding in a Lyft vehicle was killed\u003c/a> in a crash on Interstate 80, the first fatality connected to a vehicle driven by one of the company's drivers. An insurance industry group told the Chronicle the company's policy should cover the accident. Ride-service company insurance became a big issue after an UberX driver killed 6-year-old Sofia Liu on New Year's Eve last year. (\u003cstrong>SF Chronicle\u003c/strong>)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>A new USC Dornsife/LA Times poll shows \u003ca href=\"http://www.sfweekly.com/thesnitch/2014/11/04/confirmed-californians-really-arent-that-worried-about-catching-ebola\" target=\"_blank\">Californians are taking a mellow approach\u003c/a> to the Ebola scare. Just 18 percent of those surveyed said they were \"somewhat worried\" and 12 percent said they were \"very worried.\" In other findings, 97 percent of those who had watched cable news within the last month had yet to remove the covers from over their heads. (Well, not really.) (\u003cstrong>SF Weekly\u003c/strong>)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>HomeAway, a competitor of Airbnb, is not happy about the recently passed law regulating short-term rentals, and the company is expressing said unhappiness in the \u003ca href=\"http://blog.sfgate.com/techchron/2014/11/03/homeaway-sues-sf-over-airbnb-law/\" target=\"_blank\">form of a lawsuit\u003c/a>. HomeAway has maintained that the law favors Airbnb because it requires renters to be permanent residents. Unlike Airbnb, most of HomeAway's listings are second homes owned by owners who don't live in the city year-round. The law also requires short-term rental sites to collect hotel tax, which HomeAway says it has no way of doing. Airbnb supports the law. (\u003cstrong>SF Chronicle\u003c/strong>)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>A \u003ca href=\"http://www.sfexaminer.com/sanfrancisco/police-make-arrest-of-chinese-national-in-blessing-scam/Content?oid=2911072\" target=\"_blank\">Chinese national has been arrested\u003c/a> and is awaiting extradition to San Francisco in connection with four so-called blessing scam incidents. Perpetrators of the scam exploit the superstitions of elderly Chinese by identifying them as suffering from an illness or curse. The fraud has been ongoing over the \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2012/09/06/dozens-of-elderly-east-asian-women-defrauded-in-evil-spirits-scam\" target=\"_blank\">last several years\u003c/a>, and victims have lost thousands of dollars in cash and jewelry. (\u003cstrong>SF Examiner\u003c/strong>)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>In other news to make you feel like solving today's Sudoku puzzle maybe isn't such a big accomplishment after all, an eighth-grader who goes to school in San Jose is now the \u003ca href=\"http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_26860580/13-year-old-entrepreneur-raises-vc-funding-braille\" target=\"_blank\">youngest tech entrepreneur to receive venture capital funding\u003c/a>, according to the \u003cstrong>San Jose Mercury News\u003c/strong>. Shubham Banerjee, 13, is the founder of Braigo Labs, which is trying to develop a low-cost Braille printer.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>You know that World Wide Web thingie you're looking at right now? Its inventor, Tim Berners-Lee, \u003ca href=\"http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_26844823/q-tim-berners-lee-professor-inventor-world-wide\" target=\"_blank\">answered a few questions\u003c/a> for the \u003cstrong>San Jose Mercury News\u003c/strong> recently. Responding to a query about the shift in computing to mobile, he said, \"It's not just the smartphone... People will be using ultra-high-resolution TVs as a Web browsing screen.\" He also said with the current web standard, HTML 5, the difference between running web content as an app or using its web version has become minor.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>You probably don't care, but today's election \u003ca href=\"http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/election/article3547884.html\" target=\"_blank\">might set a California record for apathy\u003c/a>.\u003cstrong> (Sacramento Bee)\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cp>Sidecar will be the first transportation network company allowed to operate legally at a California airport when it begins operations at San Francisco International Airport in the next 30 days, SFO officials announced Tuesday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The airport is also in talks with Uber and Lyft to begin operating there, but so far neither company has signed a similar permit, SFO officials said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The permit for all three companies is identical, but logistical discussions continue with Uber and Lyft, such as how to track how many vehicles are coming through the airport, SFO spokesman Doug Yakel said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Yakel said Sidecar will be charged $3.85 for each trip to the airport, a fee similar to what taxi and limo services pay to operate there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The airport first established the permitting process for TNCs in April after the California Public Utilities Commission set new regulations requiring permits at airports.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In June, the CPUC threatened to shut down TNCs operating at airports, citing numerous problems with drivers caught there, including unlicensed drivers, cars without proper insurance or registration, and cars operated by someone other than its owner.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Since beginning enforcement of the ban on TNCs in April, Yakel said, hundreds of verbal admonishments have been issued for drivers using the airport while not permitted, and about three dozen misdemeanor citations have been issued for second offenses.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Most of those drivers were working for Uber, Yakel said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A statement from Sidecar Tuesday did not address any particular provisions of the permit except that the company would not be able to run its Shared Rides program, a carpooling feature that the CPUC has said is illegal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Sidecar and SFO officials, as well as San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, issued statements hailing the decision.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\"The sharing economy was born here, and I am committed to ensuring that San Francisco supports this innovation sector's growth and success,\" Lee said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Sidecar CEO Sunil Paul said, \"When regulators and innovators work together, consumers win. \"SFO is one of our most in-demand places for ride requests, so we're excited and proud to work with them to offer riders safe and affordable travel to and from the airport.\" \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Airport director John Martin commended Sidecar for coming to an agreement with SFO.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\"Their proactive approach sets an example for other transportation network companies to follow,\" Martin said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Yakel said that with only Sidecar permitted to operate at SFO, enforcement would continue for Uber and Lyft drivers trying to make pickups there.\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Sidecar will be the first transportation network company allowed to operate legally at a California airport when it begins operations at San Francisco International Airport in the next 30 days, SFO officials announced Tuesday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The airport is also in talks with Uber and Lyft to begin operating there, but so far neither company has signed a similar permit, SFO officials said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The permit for all three companies is identical, but logistical discussions continue with Uber and Lyft, such as how to track how many vehicles are coming through the airport, SFO spokesman Doug Yakel said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Yakel said Sidecar will be charged $3.85 for each trip to the airport, a fee similar to what taxi and limo services pay to operate there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The airport first established the permitting process for TNCs in April after the California Public Utilities Commission set new regulations requiring permits at airports.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In June, the CPUC threatened to shut down TNCs operating at airports, citing numerous problems with drivers caught there, including unlicensed drivers, cars without proper insurance or registration, and cars operated by someone other than its owner.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Since beginning enforcement of the ban on TNCs in April, Yakel said, hundreds of verbal admonishments have been issued for drivers using the airport while not permitted, and about three dozen misdemeanor citations have been issued for second offenses.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Most of those drivers were working for Uber, Yakel said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A statement from Sidecar Tuesday did not address any particular provisions of the permit except that the company would not be able to run its Shared Rides program, a carpooling feature that the CPUC has said is illegal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Sidecar and SFO officials, as well as San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, issued statements hailing the decision.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\"The sharing economy was born here, and I am committed to ensuring that San Francisco supports this innovation sector's growth and success,\" Lee said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Sidecar CEO Sunil Paul said, \"When regulators and innovators work together, consumers win. \"SFO is one of our most in-demand places for ride requests, so we're excited and proud to work with them to offer riders safe and affordable travel to and from the airport.\" \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Airport director John Martin commended Sidecar for coming to an agreement with SFO.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\"Their proactive approach sets an example for other transportation network companies to follow,\" Martin said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Yakel said that with only Sidecar permitted to operate at SFO, enforcement would continue for Uber and Lyft drivers trying to make pickups there.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"content": "\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_118115\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 640px\">\u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2014/11/lyft.jpg\">\u003cimg class=\"size-full wp-image-118115\" src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2014/11/lyft.jpg\" alt=\"A car with a Lyft mustache in San Francisco.(Deborah Svoboda/KQED)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A car with a Lyft mustache in San Francisco.(Deborah Svoboda/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Update, 4 p.m. Friday:\u003c/strong> Lyft has issued a response to the injunction threat from the San Francisco and L.A. DAs:\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>Ridesharing has been enthusiastically embraced by California residents and we have worked closely with the California Public Utilities Commission over the past two years to secure a future for this innovative option throughout the state. We are confident that we can work with the District Attorneys' offices to address the items outlined in their letter and look forward to discussing with them soon to do so.\u003c/p>\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Original post (Thursday): \u003c/strong>San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón and his counterpart in Los Angeles are threatening action against ride-service companies Uber, Lyft and Sidecar over alleged violations of state law.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In a letter to San Francisco-based Sidecar (\u003ca href=\"#sidecarletter\">embedded below\u003c/a>), Gascón said an investigation conducted with L.A. County District Attorney Jackie Lacey has found the company has made misleading statements about its background checks on drivers and has illegally quoted individual fares for passengers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The letter promised legal action against the company unless it meets with prosecutors by Oct. 8 to discuss how it will remedy the alleged violations.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The San Francisco District Attorney's office confirmed that letters had been hand-delivered to Uber, Lyft and Sidecar on Thursday, but declined to provide copies. The \u003ca href=\"http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/S-F-L-A-threaten-Uber-Lyft-Sidecar-with-5781328.php\" target=\"_blank\">San Francisco Chronicle reported\u003c/a> that the DAs made similar allegations against all three companies.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Lyft and Uber did not respond immediately to requests for comment on the DAs' action. Sidecar provided a copy of the letter it received, which says in part:\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>Sidecar Technologies Inc. has engaged, and continues to engage, in the following unlawful business practices:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Making misleading representations on Sidecar's website that lead consumers to believe the Sidecar's background check screens out drivers who have ever committed driving violations, DUI, sexual assault and other criminal offenses; and\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Calculating Sidecar's \"Shared Ride service fares on an individual-fare basis in violation of Public Utilities Code Section 5401.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>The Shared Rides service is a form of carpooling that all three of the major ride-service firms have rolled out in recent months. It gives customers the option of sharing rides, and payment, with other ride-service users on an impromptu basis.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In a statement, Sidecar said, \"We strongly disagree with the assertion by San Francisco and Los Angeles County District Attorney Office's that connecting people for Sidecar Shared Rides is illegal. Shared Rides are great for California because they are safe and affordable, cut down on traffic congestion and reduce pollution. The District Attorneys are trying to enforce laws written for limousines, in an era before smartphones. Sidecar will continue to operate and expand Shared Rides.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The company's statement did not address the allegations about its background check.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Gascón also issued a statement, which argues the district attorneys are acting on behalf of ride-service customers: “We value innovation and new modes of providing service to the public; however we need to make sure that the safety and wellbeing of consumers are adequately protected in the process.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca id=\"sidecarletter\">\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_118115\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 640px\">\u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2014/11/lyft.jpg\">\u003cimg class=\"size-full wp-image-118115\" src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2014/11/lyft.jpg\" alt=\"A car with a Lyft mustache in San Francisco.(Deborah Svoboda/KQED)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A car with a Lyft mustache in San Francisco.(Deborah Svoboda/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Update, 4 p.m. Friday:\u003c/strong> Lyft has issued a response to the injunction threat from the San Francisco and L.A. DAs:\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>Ridesharing has been enthusiastically embraced by California residents and we have worked closely with the California Public Utilities Commission over the past two years to secure a future for this innovative option throughout the state. We are confident that we can work with the District Attorneys' offices to address the items outlined in their letter and look forward to discussing with them soon to do so.\u003c/p>\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Original post (Thursday): \u003c/strong>San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón and his counterpart in Los Angeles are threatening action against ride-service companies Uber, Lyft and Sidecar over alleged violations of state law.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In a letter to San Francisco-based Sidecar (\u003ca href=\"#sidecarletter\">embedded below\u003c/a>), Gascón said an investigation conducted with L.A. County District Attorney Jackie Lacey has found the company has made misleading statements about its background checks on drivers and has illegally quoted individual fares for passengers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The letter promised legal action against the company unless it meets with prosecutors by Oct. 8 to discuss how it will remedy the alleged violations.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The San Francisco District Attorney's office confirmed that letters had been hand-delivered to Uber, Lyft and Sidecar on Thursday, but declined to provide copies. The \u003ca href=\"http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/S-F-L-A-threaten-Uber-Lyft-Sidecar-with-5781328.php\" target=\"_blank\">San Francisco Chronicle reported\u003c/a> that the DAs made similar allegations against all three companies.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Lyft and Uber did not respond immediately to requests for comment on the DAs' action. Sidecar provided a copy of the letter it received, which says in part:\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>Sidecar Technologies Inc. has engaged, and continues to engage, in the following unlawful business practices:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Making misleading representations on Sidecar's website that lead consumers to believe the Sidecar's background check screens out drivers who have ever committed driving violations, DUI, sexual assault and other criminal offenses; and\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Calculating Sidecar's \"Shared Ride service fares on an individual-fare basis in violation of Public Utilities Code Section 5401.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>The Shared Rides service is a form of carpooling that all three of the major ride-service firms have rolled out in recent months. It gives customers the option of sharing rides, and payment, with other ride-service users on an impromptu basis.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In a statement, Sidecar said, \"We strongly disagree with the assertion by San Francisco and Los Angeles County District Attorney Office's that connecting people for Sidecar Shared Rides is illegal. Shared Rides are great for California because they are safe and affordable, cut down on traffic congestion and reduce pollution. The District Attorneys are trying to enforce laws written for limousines, in an era before smartphones. Sidecar will continue to operate and expand Shared Rides.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The company's statement did not address the allegations about its background check.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Gascón also issued a statement, which argues the district attorneys are acting on behalf of ride-service customers: “We value innovation and new modes of providing service to the public; however we need to make sure that the safety and wellbeing of consumers are adequately protected in the process.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca id=\"sidecarletter\">\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"disqusTitle": "Uber, Lyft Fallout: Taxi Rides Plunge in San Francisco",
"title": "Uber, Lyft Fallout: Taxi Rides Plunge in San Francisco",
"headTitle": "News Fix | KQED News",
"content": "\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_120383\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 640px\">\u003cimg class=\"size-full wp-image-120383\" src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2014/10/RS7183_Taxis_22oct2013_0125_web-hpf.jpg\" alt=\"Taxis in downtown San Francisco. (Sara Bloomberg/KQED)\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Taxis in downtown San Francisco (Sara Bloomberg/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>One of the major consequences of the explosive growth of Uber, Lyft and the ride-service industry has been the \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2013/11/07/taxis-lyft-ride-service-war-on-streets-of-san-francisco\" target=\"_blank\">economic fallout to the taxi industry\u003c/a>, both companies and drivers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In San Francisco, so many customers have deserted taxis for ride-service firms that Hansu Kim, owner of DeSoto Cab, has been \u003ca href=\"http://news.kron4.com/news/sf-cab-company-considers-makeover-to-compete-with-unregulated-car-services/\" target=\"_blank\">talking about exiting the business and remaking his fleet as a sedan service\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Meanwhile, many drivers have told us they'd taken a 33 percent haircut in terms of income, and we even talked to one 28-year cab veteran, Brad Newsham, who quit last year because his profits had fallen to about $5 per hour, which is less than half of the city's minimum wage.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Now, thanks to a \u003ca href=\"http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=55&clip_id=20973&meta_id=403941\" target=\"_blank\">presentation\u003c/a> to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency on Tuesday regarding the status of the cab industry, we've got some hard numbers to illustrate just how severe the decline in taxi ridership has been.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the presentation, Kate Toran, the new director of the agency's Taxis and Accessible Services Division, said the average number of trips per taxi in the city had declined a whopping 65 percent from March 2012 to July 2014 -- from 1,424 per month to 504.\u003c/p>\n\u003caside class=\"pullquote alignleft\">Average number of trips per taxi has declined 65 percent over two years.\u003c/aside>\n\u003cp>Similarly, total rides in wheelchair-accessible taxis, which are more costly to operate, have fallen by about 56 percent over the past 15 months, from 1,378 per month in March 2013 to 768 this July.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That's a concern because the inaccessibility of ride-service vehicles, which are, after all, just drivers' personal cars being used to transport paying passengers, has been \u003ca href=\"http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/As-Uber-Lyft-Sidecar-grow-so-do-concerns-of-5240889.php\" target=\"_blank\">an issue.\u003c/a> The accessibility plans that ride-service companies were required to file by the California Public Utilities Commission have so far been on the thin side. (Here are \u003ca href=\"http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/NR/rdonlyres/193E3DA4-D0FF-497A-8E26-EDAC1C1339FE/0/UberAccessibilityPlan.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Uber's\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/NR/rdonlyres/B0398419-190C-4B4B-A89B-ED113E6CB9B5/0/LyftAccessibilityPlan.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Lyft's\u003c/a>.) Updates on these plans are due on Friday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Toran said that in response to the severe decline in ridership, the city's taxi division is waiving certain fees, like the one for a driver application, and reducing others, like the fee for medallion renewal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Toran did indicate one sign of progress for those who have been pushing the industry to modernize: Eighty percent of taxis in the city are now using Flywheel, an app-based hailing tool that is similar to those of the ride services.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>An alternative app, Curb, is used by 60 percent of cabs. The response time for taxis on Flywheel has been just 3.5 minutes, a significant development in light of the \u003ca href=\"http://www.uctc.net/research/papers/UCTC-FR-2014-08.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">recent paper from UC Berkeley\u003c/a> that found a \u003ca href=\"http://www.forbes.com/sites/ellenhuet/2014/09/08/uber-lyft-cars-arrive-faster-than-taxis/\" target=\"_blank\">marked superiority in the time ride-service\u003c/a> vehicles responded to calls as opposed to taxis.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The increased use of apps by the city's taxis wasn't good enough, though, for SFMTA board member Malcolm Heinicke. He wasn't happy that the rate of use wasn't 100 percent.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\"Why aren't they all on one of those apps ... and why aren't we mandating that they all be on one of those or a similarly widespread app?\" he asked. \"We're in a situation of catch-up here. ... I think the public needs to know that there are these apps out there, the public needs to know that these response rates exist.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\"Why aren't we mandating they all be on an app the way we would have mandated they all be on a sufficiently large radio network back in the last generation of taxi service?\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Toran said she agreed it was a good idea to require that cabs use apps. \"It's the new reality,\" she said. \u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Longtime Cab Driver Still Surviving But Considering Move to Uber \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I asked John Han, a veteran San Francisco cab driver and keen observer of the industry whom we've been talking to on this story, how his income has held up lately, and what his plans are. Last year he told us he tried to make the switch to UberX, Uber's ride-service division, but aborted the attempt after he \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2014/01/20/ride-sharing-insurance-lyft-uberx-sidecar/\" target=\"_blank\">failed to find an insurance company that would cover his car\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Han said he was still hanging in there, despite a drop in the last six months or so. \"I have noticed a decline in my take-home pay, but I'm making enough to not have to think of doing anything drastic,\" he said. \"I'm just making a little less per shift.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>He did say, however, that he knows cab drivers who are complaining their income has been cut in half.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I wondered if in light of \u003ca href=\"http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140AB2293\" target=\"_blank\">AB2293\u003c/a>, which would expedite the creation of insurance policies, not in existence now, \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/09/02/2014/Uber_Lyft_California_insurance/\" target=\"_blank\">specifically for ride-service drivers\u003c/a>, whether he would again consider switching to a ride service. He said he would:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\"When there's total transparency, when I can call an insurance company and say, 'C an you give me the right kind of policy for this kind of work?' and they know it’s an Uber or Lyft vehicle, that’s when i would say, 'Yeah, i think I’m going to do it.' \"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But Bill Clark, another longtime cab driver who hit a similar brick wall on insurance when he considered switching to UberX, said he wouldn't try again, even though his income has dropped by about a third over the last two years. Clark said Uber's refusal to cover the accident in San Francisco in which an UberX driver hit and killed a 6-year-old girl has put him off the company for good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\"I don't want anything to do with them,\" he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can \u003ca href=\"http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=55&clip_id=20973&meta_id=403942\" target=\"_blank\">watch the presentation on the status of the taxi industry in San Francisco\u003c/a> below:\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_120383\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 640px\">\u003cimg class=\"size-full wp-image-120383\" src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2014/10/RS7183_Taxis_22oct2013_0125_web-hpf.jpg\" alt=\"Taxis in downtown San Francisco. (Sara Bloomberg/KQED)\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Taxis in downtown San Francisco (Sara Bloomberg/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>One of the major consequences of the explosive growth of Uber, Lyft and the ride-service industry has been the \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2013/11/07/taxis-lyft-ride-service-war-on-streets-of-san-francisco\" target=\"_blank\">economic fallout to the taxi industry\u003c/a>, both companies and drivers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In San Francisco, so many customers have deserted taxis for ride-service firms that Hansu Kim, owner of DeSoto Cab, has been \u003ca href=\"http://news.kron4.com/news/sf-cab-company-considers-makeover-to-compete-with-unregulated-car-services/\" target=\"_blank\">talking about exiting the business and remaking his fleet as a sedan service\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Meanwhile, many drivers have told us they'd taken a 33 percent haircut in terms of income, and we even talked to one 28-year cab veteran, Brad Newsham, who quit last year because his profits had fallen to about $5 per hour, which is less than half of the city's minimum wage.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Now, thanks to a \u003ca href=\"http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=55&clip_id=20973&meta_id=403941\" target=\"_blank\">presentation\u003c/a> to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency on Tuesday regarding the status of the cab industry, we've got some hard numbers to illustrate just how severe the decline in taxi ridership has been.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the presentation, Kate Toran, the new director of the agency's Taxis and Accessible Services Division, said the average number of trips per taxi in the city had declined a whopping 65 percent from March 2012 to July 2014 -- from 1,424 per month to 504.\u003c/p>\n\u003caside class=\"pullquote alignleft\">Average number of trips per taxi has declined 65 percent over two years.\u003c/aside>\n\u003cp>Similarly, total rides in wheelchair-accessible taxis, which are more costly to operate, have fallen by about 56 percent over the past 15 months, from 1,378 per month in March 2013 to 768 this July.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That's a concern because the inaccessibility of ride-service vehicles, which are, after all, just drivers' personal cars being used to transport paying passengers, has been \u003ca href=\"http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/As-Uber-Lyft-Sidecar-grow-so-do-concerns-of-5240889.php\" target=\"_blank\">an issue.\u003c/a> The accessibility plans that ride-service companies were required to file by the California Public Utilities Commission have so far been on the thin side. (Here are \u003ca href=\"http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/NR/rdonlyres/193E3DA4-D0FF-497A-8E26-EDAC1C1339FE/0/UberAccessibilityPlan.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Uber's\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/NR/rdonlyres/B0398419-190C-4B4B-A89B-ED113E6CB9B5/0/LyftAccessibilityPlan.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Lyft's\u003c/a>.) Updates on these plans are due on Friday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Toran said that in response to the severe decline in ridership, the city's taxi division is waiving certain fees, like the one for a driver application, and reducing others, like the fee for medallion renewal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Toran did indicate one sign of progress for those who have been pushing the industry to modernize: Eighty percent of taxis in the city are now using Flywheel, an app-based hailing tool that is similar to those of the ride services.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>An alternative app, Curb, is used by 60 percent of cabs. The response time for taxis on Flywheel has been just 3.5 minutes, a significant development in light of the \u003ca href=\"http://www.uctc.net/research/papers/UCTC-FR-2014-08.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">recent paper from UC Berkeley\u003c/a> that found a \u003ca href=\"http://www.forbes.com/sites/ellenhuet/2014/09/08/uber-lyft-cars-arrive-faster-than-taxis/\" target=\"_blank\">marked superiority in the time ride-service\u003c/a> vehicles responded to calls as opposed to taxis.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The increased use of apps by the city's taxis wasn't good enough, though, for SFMTA board member Malcolm Heinicke. He wasn't happy that the rate of use wasn't 100 percent.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\"Why aren't they all on one of those apps ... and why aren't we mandating that they all be on one of those or a similarly widespread app?\" he asked. \"We're in a situation of catch-up here. ... I think the public needs to know that there are these apps out there, the public needs to know that these response rates exist.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\"Why aren't we mandating they all be on an app the way we would have mandated they all be on a sufficiently large radio network back in the last generation of taxi service?\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Toran said she agreed it was a good idea to require that cabs use apps. \"It's the new reality,\" she said. \u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Longtime Cab Driver Still Surviving But Considering Move to Uber \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I asked John Han, a veteran San Francisco cab driver and keen observer of the industry whom we've been talking to on this story, how his income has held up lately, and what his plans are. Last year he told us he tried to make the switch to UberX, Uber's ride-service division, but aborted the attempt after he \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2014/01/20/ride-sharing-insurance-lyft-uberx-sidecar/\" target=\"_blank\">failed to find an insurance company that would cover his car\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Han said he was still hanging in there, despite a drop in the last six months or so. \"I have noticed a decline in my take-home pay, but I'm making enough to not have to think of doing anything drastic,\" he said. \"I'm just making a little less per shift.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>He did say, however, that he knows cab drivers who are complaining their income has been cut in half.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I wondered if in light of \u003ca href=\"http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140AB2293\" target=\"_blank\">AB2293\u003c/a>, which would expedite the creation of insurance policies, not in existence now, \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/09/02/2014/Uber_Lyft_California_insurance/\" target=\"_blank\">specifically for ride-service drivers\u003c/a>, whether he would again consider switching to a ride service. He said he would:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\"When there's total transparency, when I can call an insurance company and say, 'C an you give me the right kind of policy for this kind of work?' and they know it’s an Uber or Lyft vehicle, that’s when i would say, 'Yeah, i think I’m going to do it.' \"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But Bill Clark, another longtime cab driver who hit a similar brick wall on insurance when he considered switching to UberX, said he wouldn't try again, even though his income has dropped by about a third over the last two years. Clark said Uber's refusal to cover the accident in San Francisco in which an UberX driver hit and killed a 6-year-old girl has put him off the company for good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\"I don't want anything to do with them,\" he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can \u003ca href=\"http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=55&clip_id=20973&meta_id=403942\" target=\"_blank\">watch the presentation on the status of the taxi industry in San Francisco\u003c/a> below:\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"disqusTitle": "California Bill Would Enable Uber, Lyft Drivers to Finally Get Insurance",
"title": "California Bill Would Enable Uber, Lyft Drivers to Finally Get Insurance",
"headTitle": "News Fix | KQED News",
"content": "\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140AB2293\" target=\"_blank\">AB2293\u003c/a>, the ride-service insurance bill that passed the California Legislature last week, could pave the way for drivers for companies like Lyft and Uber to finally get coverage for both personal and commercial use of their vehicles.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The measure is supported by the insurance industry as well as Uber and Lyft, which fought tooth and nail to squash it until Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla (D-Concord) lowered the amount of coverage required. The legislation calls for the development, by July 1, 2015, of new hybrid policies that would cover drivers for both personal use of their vehicle and TNC (transportation network company) work, and directs the state Department of Insurance to expedite approval of such products.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Gov. Jerry Brown, who was involved in the final negotiations over the bill, is expected to sign it into law.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Keeping Status a Secret\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Ever since we've been covering the ride-service story, we've heard from UberX and Lyft drivers that they don't want to be identified by name because they are \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2013/11/14/can-lyft-uberx-drivers-lose-their-insurance\" target=\"_blank\">afraid their personal auto insurer would cancel their polic\u003c/a>ies.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Those policies were written with the understanding that the vehicles would be used for everyday use, not operating as a de facto cab.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some in the taxi industry even claimed a wave of insurance cancellations for TNC drivers was on the way. The San Francisco Cab Drivers Association claimed to have compiled a database of thousands of TNC vehicle license plate numbers that it was making available to insurers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Though mass cancellations never occurred, at least \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2014/01/20/ride-sharing-insurance-lyft-uberx-sidecar/\" target=\"_blank\">two cancellations were reported\u003c/a>, and many drivers consider it a fact of life that they have to keep their status as commercial drivers hidden. No one was ever able to find an insurance company who would cover TNC work, with either a personal or a commercial policy. For instance, when we talked to two San Francisco cab drivers who wanted to buy their own cars so they could drive for UberX, \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2014/01/20/ride-sharing-insurance-lyft-uberx-sidecar/\" target=\"_blank\">they hit a brick wall\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[contextly_sidebar id=\"XHynJJiNGUH70r6uZkbADMMWgKttQBhi\"]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I couldn’t find anybody who would insure an UberX vehicle,” said longtime cab driver John Han. “When I talked to my personal insurance company ... I said I had just been approved for a car loan but wanted to work for UberX. They said they can’t insure that. You can’t really insure a car as both a personal vehicle and commercial at the same time. The only way I can do UberX would be to lie to my insurance company.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Many insurers don’t know their customers are involved in these kinds of programs,” said Pete Moraga of the Insurance Information Network of California. “If these drivers aren’t telling their insurers, there’s no way for them to know.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Drivers have fared no better trying to get commercial insurance. \"They had never heard of TNCs,” said Luxor cab driver Bill Clark of commercial insurers. Musing about his quest to leave the taxi business and drive for UberX, Clark said, “I could get a brand-new Prius, drive any time I wanted to and just make money. That’s like a dream; too good to be true. In fact, it was too good to be true. You can’t get insurance on them.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Policy to be Designed For TNC Drivers\u003cbr>\n\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Well that could very well change, according to Bonilla, sponsor of \u003ca href=\"http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140AB2293\" target=\"_blank\">AB2293\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003caside class=\"pullquote alignleft\">'This is going to be a brand-new policy for TNC drivers that will cover them for both personal and for their commercial activities.'\n\u003cp>--Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla\u003c/p>\n\u003c/aside>\n\u003cp>\"For an innovative business there will be an innovative insurance product,\" said Bonilla. \"It doesn't currently exist now. This is going to be a brand-new policy for TNC drivers that will cover them for both personal and for their commercial activities.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Armand Feliciano, vice president for the Association of California Insurance Companies, said he's confident insurers will create the new policies by the July 1, 2015, deadline.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\"I know of at least one company that’s been actively working with Lyft on a product,\" he said. \"This is something (companies) want to write, they are interested in writing. It’s a challenge here in California; we have Proposition 103 and the factors for personal auto are pretty limited: mileage driven and experience. If you extrapolate a little bit from that, how do you figure out a guy that may turn (the app) on for a good two hours a day? He goes in and out from personal to commercial. There are challenges trying to assess the risk, but there’s definitely an incentive for companies ... to provide the product.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While those who dislike hiding their TNC status from insurers may welcome coverage written specifically for their occupation, they may find it is going to add to the cost of doing business, a cost that was invisible to them because it was not factored into their personal policies. The coverage is almost certainly going to be more expensive than plain personal insurance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\"That’s a valid assumption,\" Feliciano said. \"When you turn on that app, it’s our position that you do engage in a rather riskier behavior. You are going to places like a beerfest, or you may be driving a little faster because you want to catch that fare. So that risk is going to be a little higher, and therefore it’s going to be priced differently.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Closing an Insurance Gap\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The bill also stipulates TNC drivers must be insured during the time they have their app open but have yet to accept a call (known as Period 1 in the biz). The coverage during this period must be at least $50,000 per individual, $100,000 total per incident for bodily injury, and $30,000 for property damage. An additional $200,000 in excess coverage is required.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Insurance coverage during Period 1 became a very big deal on Dec. 31, 2013, when UberX driver Syed Muzaffar ran into a family in a San Francisco crosswalk, killing 6-year-old Sofia Liu and seriously injuring her mother and brother just before 8 p.m. It soon emerged that Uber did not consider Muzzafar to be insured under its state-mandated $1 million liability policy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Although Muzaffar had his app open and was awaiting a call, Uber said, he had yet to actually accept a fare and was thus not yet engaged in \"providing TNC services,\" the point at which the California Public Utilities Commission requires TNC insurance to kick in. Uber's narrow definition of when TNC services began relegated coverage of the fatal accident to Muzaffar's personal insurance, which provided only a fraction of the amount to cover costs that could hit seven figures. (Sofia Liu's family is suing Uber over the incident.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In March, in the wake of negative press coverage over the issue, as well as \u003ca href=\"http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0250-insurers/0300-insurers/0200-bulletins/bulletin-notices-commiss-opinion/TransNetwkDrvrs.cfm\" target=\"_blank\">warnings from various state governments\u003c/a> -- including California's Department of Insurance about insurance gaps inherent in driving for TNCs -- Uber and Lyft \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2014/03/14/uber-lyft-insurance/\" target=\"_blank\">expanded their insurance\u003c/a>, including coverage for Period 1. That coverage, however, was significantly lower than it was for the post-Period 1 time, when drivers are on a call.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And as the CPUC floated a proposal to require TNCs to extend their $1 million insurance to Period 1, Uber and Lyft argued against it, claiming that interval is fraught with ambiguity: What if a driver isn't really working and just turns the app on in order to qualify for the insurance? What if a driver who uses apps from different TNCs gets into an accident? Which company would have to cover that?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the face of of Uber and Lyft's resistance, both AB2293 and the CPUC's proposal came down significantly in terms of the final amount of coverage for Period 1.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Drivers also take note: AB2293 says either TNCs or drivers can pay for Period 1 coverage -- it doesn't have to come from the companies.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\"That could become a point of competitiveness in terms of attracting drivers, the decision of who will pay what,\" said Bonilla.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I asked Uber who would pay for the new insurance, the driver or the company? Spokeswoman Eva Behrend did not answer the question directly, but said, \"The legislation does not take effect until July 2015 and intentionally leaves the option open for either the driver or the TNC to carry the insurance. This gives the insurance industry time to develop a hybrid product.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Clarity: Personal Insurance Does Not Cover TNC Accidents\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_105050\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\" style=\"max-width: 300px\">\u003cimg class=\"size-full wp-image-105050\" src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2013/07/UberCar.jpg\" alt=\"Uber car\" width=\"300\" height=\"175\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">An Uber car drives in San Francisco. (Adam Fagen/Flickr)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>AB2293 also clears up once and for all that personal insurance will not cover TNC accidents. As noted, Uber and Lyft do currently provide insurance that covers Period 1. But that coverage is contingent on \"a driver’s personal insurance policy (being) found not to cover an accident during this period.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The California Department of Insurance, insurance companies and TNC opponents such as the taxi industry scoffed at this qualification, taking the position that the TNCs' reliance on personal insurance to cover a commercial activity was based on a fiction, contingent on the erroneous view that drivers’ personal insurers would pay claims for individuals who drive commercially for TNCs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Insurers say this shifts the cost of covering commercial activity by TNCs onto the personal insurance market.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>AB2293 makes it clear that a driver's personal insurance will have no responsibility for covering TNC accidents, unless that insurance has been \"specifically written to cover the driver's use of a vehicle in connection with a transportation network company's online-enabled application or platform.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>CPUC Could Require More Coverage (But it Doesn't Look Likely)\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The latest proposal on TNC insurance by the California Public Utilities Commission calls for slightly greater amounts of Period 1 coverage than does AB2293. The plan calls for at least $100,000 per individual and $300,000 total per incident for bodily injury and $50,000 for property damage, in an excess insurance policy, instead of AB2293's 50,000/100,000/30,000 coverage. The commission next meets on Sept. 11 and could vote on the proposal then.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Bonilla said there is nothing in her bill that would preclude the CPUC from requiring greater amounts and even additional types of coverage than are specified in AB2293; the amounts written into the bill are minimums. The CPUC, however, appears to be moving in the opposite direction. While a provision of AB2293 requires at least $1 million in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage for TNCs, the latest CPUC proposal does not. (AB 2293's stipulations would supercede the CPUC on this.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Previous versions of the proposal from the CPUC required collision, comprehensive, and medical payments coverage from TNCs. Those requirements have been dropped, with the commission writing that, \"We are concerned ... that imposing these additional coverage requirements may make it difficult for TNCs to satisfy these requirements through the existing insurance market, thus inhibiting the creative environment that has allowed the TNC industry to flourish in California for the benefit of California residents who wish to avail themselves of TNC services.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Since AB2293 does not require collision, comprehensive or medical payments, these appear to be off the table for now.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Both Uber and Lyft, however, do offer some of these coverages. Uber and Lyft currently offer comprehensive and collision coverage, but only if drivers have purchased similar coverage on their personal policies. (And they do not offer this coverage for Period 1.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Uber said it has no plans to drop this coverage. Lyft did not respond to a request for comment.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Not Everyone Happy\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While the insurance industry, Uber and Lyft, and Bonilla all hailed the legislation's passage, which was the subject of some \u003ca href=\"http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/matier-ross/article/Uber-takes-turn-toward-old-school-politics-5725738.php\">hardball political tactics by Uber\u003c/a>, not everyone is on board. Bonilla's original proposal called for $750,000 in liability coverage for Period 1, considerably more than what finally got passed. Sen. Bill Monning (D-Carmel), chairman of the Senate Insurance Committee, was quoted as saying the bill, sold as a compromise, \"compromises the public health and safety.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Bonilla said she wished she could have gotten more through. \"I would have rather had a higher number,\" she told me. \"My author’s amendments on Monday put the number at $500,000, and I believe I could have moved the bill. The problem is we didn’t have agreement from the administration, and it took negotiation to make the governor feel comfortable. As you know, it’s not enough to get a bill to the governor's desk; it’s his signature.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As for the taxi industry, its preferred bill, AB612, which would have basically treated TNC vehicles like cabs in terms of insurance and safety requirements, died a quiet death in committee.\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"excerpt": "A new state measure calls for a hybrid personal/commercial policy to be offered to ride-service drivers.",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140AB2293\" target=\"_blank\">AB2293\u003c/a>, the ride-service insurance bill that passed the California Legislature last week, could pave the way for drivers for companies like Lyft and Uber to finally get coverage for both personal and commercial use of their vehicles.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The measure is supported by the insurance industry as well as Uber and Lyft, which fought tooth and nail to squash it until Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla (D-Concord) lowered the amount of coverage required. The legislation calls for the development, by July 1, 2015, of new hybrid policies that would cover drivers for both personal use of their vehicle and TNC (transportation network company) work, and directs the state Department of Insurance to expedite approval of such products.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Gov. Jerry Brown, who was involved in the final negotiations over the bill, is expected to sign it into law.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Keeping Status a Secret\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Ever since we've been covering the ride-service story, we've heard from UberX and Lyft drivers that they don't want to be identified by name because they are \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2013/11/14/can-lyft-uberx-drivers-lose-their-insurance\" target=\"_blank\">afraid their personal auto insurer would cancel their polic\u003c/a>ies.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Those policies were written with the understanding that the vehicles would be used for everyday use, not operating as a de facto cab.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some in the taxi industry even claimed a wave of insurance cancellations for TNC drivers was on the way. The San Francisco Cab Drivers Association claimed to have compiled a database of thousands of TNC vehicle license plate numbers that it was making available to insurers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Though mass cancellations never occurred, at least \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2014/01/20/ride-sharing-insurance-lyft-uberx-sidecar/\" target=\"_blank\">two cancellations were reported\u003c/a>, and many drivers consider it a fact of life that they have to keep their status as commercial drivers hidden. No one was ever able to find an insurance company who would cover TNC work, with either a personal or a commercial policy. For instance, when we talked to two San Francisco cab drivers who wanted to buy their own cars so they could drive for UberX, \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2014/01/20/ride-sharing-insurance-lyft-uberx-sidecar/\" target=\"_blank\">they hit a brick wall\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I couldn’t find anybody who would insure an UberX vehicle,” said longtime cab driver John Han. “When I talked to my personal insurance company ... I said I had just been approved for a car loan but wanted to work for UberX. They said they can’t insure that. You can’t really insure a car as both a personal vehicle and commercial at the same time. The only way I can do UberX would be to lie to my insurance company.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Many insurers don’t know their customers are involved in these kinds of programs,” said Pete Moraga of the Insurance Information Network of California. “If these drivers aren’t telling their insurers, there’s no way for them to know.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Drivers have fared no better trying to get commercial insurance. \"They had never heard of TNCs,” said Luxor cab driver Bill Clark of commercial insurers. Musing about his quest to leave the taxi business and drive for UberX, Clark said, “I could get a brand-new Prius, drive any time I wanted to and just make money. That’s like a dream; too good to be true. In fact, it was too good to be true. You can’t get insurance on them.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Policy to be Designed For TNC Drivers\u003cbr>\n\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Well that could very well change, according to Bonilla, sponsor of \u003ca href=\"http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140AB2293\" target=\"_blank\">AB2293\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003caside class=\"pullquote alignleft\">'This is going to be a brand-new policy for TNC drivers that will cover them for both personal and for their commercial activities.'\n\u003cp>--Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla\u003c/p>\n\u003c/aside>\n\u003cp>\"For an innovative business there will be an innovative insurance product,\" said Bonilla. \"It doesn't currently exist now. This is going to be a brand-new policy for TNC drivers that will cover them for both personal and for their commercial activities.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Armand Feliciano, vice president for the Association of California Insurance Companies, said he's confident insurers will create the new policies by the July 1, 2015, deadline.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\"I know of at least one company that’s been actively working with Lyft on a product,\" he said. \"This is something (companies) want to write, they are interested in writing. It’s a challenge here in California; we have Proposition 103 and the factors for personal auto are pretty limited: mileage driven and experience. If you extrapolate a little bit from that, how do you figure out a guy that may turn (the app) on for a good two hours a day? He goes in and out from personal to commercial. There are challenges trying to assess the risk, but there’s definitely an incentive for companies ... to provide the product.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While those who dislike hiding their TNC status from insurers may welcome coverage written specifically for their occupation, they may find it is going to add to the cost of doing business, a cost that was invisible to them because it was not factored into their personal policies. The coverage is almost certainly going to be more expensive than plain personal insurance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\"That’s a valid assumption,\" Feliciano said. \"When you turn on that app, it’s our position that you do engage in a rather riskier behavior. You are going to places like a beerfest, or you may be driving a little faster because you want to catch that fare. So that risk is going to be a little higher, and therefore it’s going to be priced differently.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Closing an Insurance Gap\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The bill also stipulates TNC drivers must be insured during the time they have their app open but have yet to accept a call (known as Period 1 in the biz). The coverage during this period must be at least $50,000 per individual, $100,000 total per incident for bodily injury, and $30,000 for property damage. An additional $200,000 in excess coverage is required.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Insurance coverage during Period 1 became a very big deal on Dec. 31, 2013, when UberX driver Syed Muzaffar ran into a family in a San Francisco crosswalk, killing 6-year-old Sofia Liu and seriously injuring her mother and brother just before 8 p.m. It soon emerged that Uber did not consider Muzzafar to be insured under its state-mandated $1 million liability policy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Although Muzaffar had his app open and was awaiting a call, Uber said, he had yet to actually accept a fare and was thus not yet engaged in \"providing TNC services,\" the point at which the California Public Utilities Commission requires TNC insurance to kick in. Uber's narrow definition of when TNC services began relegated coverage of the fatal accident to Muzaffar's personal insurance, which provided only a fraction of the amount to cover costs that could hit seven figures. (Sofia Liu's family is suing Uber over the incident.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In March, in the wake of negative press coverage over the issue, as well as \u003ca href=\"http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0250-insurers/0300-insurers/0200-bulletins/bulletin-notices-commiss-opinion/TransNetwkDrvrs.cfm\" target=\"_blank\">warnings from various state governments\u003c/a> -- including California's Department of Insurance about insurance gaps inherent in driving for TNCs -- Uber and Lyft \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2014/03/14/uber-lyft-insurance/\" target=\"_blank\">expanded their insurance\u003c/a>, including coverage for Period 1. That coverage, however, was significantly lower than it was for the post-Period 1 time, when drivers are on a call.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And as the CPUC floated a proposal to require TNCs to extend their $1 million insurance to Period 1, Uber and Lyft argued against it, claiming that interval is fraught with ambiguity: What if a driver isn't really working and just turns the app on in order to qualify for the insurance? What if a driver who uses apps from different TNCs gets into an accident? Which company would have to cover that?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the face of of Uber and Lyft's resistance, both AB2293 and the CPUC's proposal came down significantly in terms of the final amount of coverage for Period 1.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Drivers also take note: AB2293 says either TNCs or drivers can pay for Period 1 coverage -- it doesn't have to come from the companies.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\"That could become a point of competitiveness in terms of attracting drivers, the decision of who will pay what,\" said Bonilla.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I asked Uber who would pay for the new insurance, the driver or the company? Spokeswoman Eva Behrend did not answer the question directly, but said, \"The legislation does not take effect until July 2015 and intentionally leaves the option open for either the driver or the TNC to carry the insurance. This gives the insurance industry time to develop a hybrid product.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Clarity: Personal Insurance Does Not Cover TNC Accidents\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_105050\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\" style=\"max-width: 300px\">\u003cimg class=\"size-full wp-image-105050\" src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2013/07/UberCar.jpg\" alt=\"Uber car\" width=\"300\" height=\"175\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">An Uber car drives in San Francisco. (Adam Fagen/Flickr)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>AB2293 also clears up once and for all that personal insurance will not cover TNC accidents. As noted, Uber and Lyft do currently provide insurance that covers Period 1. But that coverage is contingent on \"a driver’s personal insurance policy (being) found not to cover an accident during this period.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The California Department of Insurance, insurance companies and TNC opponents such as the taxi industry scoffed at this qualification, taking the position that the TNCs' reliance on personal insurance to cover a commercial activity was based on a fiction, contingent on the erroneous view that drivers’ personal insurers would pay claims for individuals who drive commercially for TNCs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Insurers say this shifts the cost of covering commercial activity by TNCs onto the personal insurance market.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>AB2293 makes it clear that a driver's personal insurance will have no responsibility for covering TNC accidents, unless that insurance has been \"specifically written to cover the driver's use of a vehicle in connection with a transportation network company's online-enabled application or platform.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>CPUC Could Require More Coverage (But it Doesn't Look Likely)\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The latest proposal on TNC insurance by the California Public Utilities Commission calls for slightly greater amounts of Period 1 coverage than does AB2293. The plan calls for at least $100,000 per individual and $300,000 total per incident for bodily injury and $50,000 for property damage, in an excess insurance policy, instead of AB2293's 50,000/100,000/30,000 coverage. The commission next meets on Sept. 11 and could vote on the proposal then.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Bonilla said there is nothing in her bill that would preclude the CPUC from requiring greater amounts and even additional types of coverage than are specified in AB2293; the amounts written into the bill are minimums. The CPUC, however, appears to be moving in the opposite direction. While a provision of AB2293 requires at least $1 million in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage for TNCs, the latest CPUC proposal does not. (AB 2293's stipulations would supercede the CPUC on this.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Previous versions of the proposal from the CPUC required collision, comprehensive, and medical payments coverage from TNCs. Those requirements have been dropped, with the commission writing that, \"We are concerned ... that imposing these additional coverage requirements may make it difficult for TNCs to satisfy these requirements through the existing insurance market, thus inhibiting the creative environment that has allowed the TNC industry to flourish in California for the benefit of California residents who wish to avail themselves of TNC services.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Since AB2293 does not require collision, comprehensive or medical payments, these appear to be off the table for now.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Both Uber and Lyft, however, do offer some of these coverages. Uber and Lyft currently offer comprehensive and collision coverage, but only if drivers have purchased similar coverage on their personal policies. (And they do not offer this coverage for Period 1.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Uber said it has no plans to drop this coverage. Lyft did not respond to a request for comment.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Not Everyone Happy\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While the insurance industry, Uber and Lyft, and Bonilla all hailed the legislation's passage, which was the subject of some \u003ca href=\"http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/matier-ross/article/Uber-takes-turn-toward-old-school-politics-5725738.php\">hardball political tactics by Uber\u003c/a>, not everyone is on board. Bonilla's original proposal called for $750,000 in liability coverage for Period 1, considerably more than what finally got passed. Sen. Bill Monning (D-Carmel), chairman of the Senate Insurance Committee, was quoted as saying the bill, sold as a compromise, \"compromises the public health and safety.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Bonilla said she wished she could have gotten more through. \"I would have rather had a higher number,\" she told me. \"My author’s amendments on Monday put the number at $500,000, and I believe I could have moved the bill. The problem is we didn’t have agreement from the administration, and it took negotiation to make the governor feel comfortable. As you know, it’s not enough to get a bill to the governor's desk; it’s his signature.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As for the taxi industry, its preferred bill, AB612, which would have basically treated TNC vehicles like cabs in terms of insurance and safety requirements, died a quiet death in committee.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"disqusTitle": "Around the U.S., Taxis, Regulators, Insurers Having Fits Over Uber and Lyft",
"title": "Around the U.S., Taxis, Regulators, Insurers Having Fits Over Uber and Lyft",
"headTitle": "News Fix | KQED News",
"content": "\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_118106\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 640px\">\u003cimg class=\"size-full wp-image-118106\" src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2014/11/uber.jpg\" alt=\"Local regulators have been unsuccessful in gaining access to TNCs excess liability insurance policies. (Adam Fagen/Flickr)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Uber car. (Adam Fagen/Flickr)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Uber has been so successful in supplanting taxis that fear and loathing of the San Francisco-based company united cab drivers across Europe last week — even amid the nationalistic fervor of the World Cup. Tens of thousands of drivers in London, Paris and Berlin, among other cities, \u003ca href=\"http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-06-10/uber-protests-spread-across-europe-as-taxi-app-backlash-grows.html\" target=\"_blank\">snarled traffic in some of the densest thoroughfares on the continent\u003c/a>, all in protest of the company that in varying degrees has eaten their dejeuner, almuerzo and lunch in the \u003ca href=\"https://www.uber.com/cities\" target=\"_blank\">128 cities\u003c/a> around the world in which it has set up shop.\u003c/p>\n\u003caside class=\"pullquote alignleft\">\u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/06/19/2014/uber-lyft-regulations#updates\">Click here for city-by-city Uber and Lyft updates\u003c/a>\u003c/aside>\n\u003cp>And what a feast it’s been. On June 6, Uber announced it had raised an additional $1.2 billion in investment capital to \u003ca href=\"http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/06/06/uber-raises-new-funds-at-17-billion-valuation/?module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3Ar\" target=\"_blank\">up its valuation to $18.2 billion\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\"You’re worth more than Whole Foods, you’re worth more than Tiffany and company,” a CNBC anchor breathlessly informed Uber CEO Travis Kalanick during an \u003ca href=\"http://nyti.ms/1xl7GNP\" target=\"_blank\">interview after the announcement\u003c/a>. Kalanick replied that Uber is actually undervalued. (\u003ca href=\"http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/uber-isnt-worth-17-billion/\" target=\"_blank\">Others\u003c/a>, meanwhile, think the $18.2 billion number is \u003ca href=\"http://www.cnbc.com/id/101762832\" target=\"_blank\">way too big\u003c/a>.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Locally, Uber has become a major employer in San Francisco. The company says it has 500 people working at its headquarters in the city. That's in addition to all the drivers now earning a living by connecting with passengers through Uber's app. One group not seeing the benefits of this expansion: taxi companies and the drivers who have yet to switch over to Uber or Lyft, a smaller yet growing rival also based in San Francisco. The city's taxi business is off so much that the owner of DeSoto Cab Co., Hansu Kim, said this month that the industry's survival is threatened.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“When I say the taxi industry may not survive 18 months or so, I’m seeing a situation where those who drove a taxicab in the past are now taking their personal cars and acting like a cab on their own,” \u003ca href=\"http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2014/06/06/san-francisco-desoto-taxi-cab-company-ceo-industry-may-not-survive-the-next-18-months-uber-lyft-sidecar-rideshare/\" target=\"_blank\">he told KPIX\u003c/a>.[contextly_sidebar id=\"9d82bd6a2861e18413921054fbc2998c\"]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Yet for all the rapid success of Uber and Lyft, which the state of California calls transportation network companies, or TNCs, there is also a growing resistance to their operations by regulators and insurers across the country.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Both the California Department of Insurance and Public Utilities Commission, which regulates TNCs, have sided with the insurance industry's assessment that current cheaper excess coverage the companies offer to protect drivers and passengers is based on a fictional belief that a driver's personal insurer will tolerate paying claims for individuals who drive commercially.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Every other business in California has to have insurance to cover their activities,\" said Mark Sektnan, president of the Association of California Insurance Companies. \"Why is this business any different?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Both the utilities commission and the state Legislature are now \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/06/17/2014/Uber-Lyft-Insurance-crack-down\" target=\"_blank\">considering proposals to toughen TNC insurance requirements\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As you'll see in our roundup below, California is far from the only state where Uber and Lyft are coming under regulatory, legislative or legal pressure. The novelty of a business model that has encouraged thousands of everyday drivers to hit the road in their own vehicles in quest of paying passengers has taken the system of transportation oversight, developed over decades, by almost complete surprise.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This has resulted in a fair amount of confusion and conflict, including lawsuits, protests, fines and threats. What is also notable is the willingness by Uber and Lyft to openly defy local authorities who have determined the companies are operating illegally.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>How it all shakes out will determine just how large this innovative industry becomes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Regulatory overhang is obviously something investors and (Uber) need to be mindful of,\" said Anand Sanwal, CEO of CB Insights, which tracks high-growth private companies. \"It seems, at least to date, they’ve figured out ways to operate in markets they’ve wanted to in compliance with these issues, or they’re paying fines with the view that this legislation will be overturned or public outcry will make it go away. Obviously, investors feel that way too. But Uber does have regulatory risks.\"\u003ca name=\"updates\">\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Here are what various media are reporting about the road wars around the U.S.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Albuquerque\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/blog/morning-edition/2014/06/prc-keeps-meter-running-on-ridesharing-hearing.html\" target=\"_blank\">PRC Keeps Meter Running on Ridesharing Hearing\u003c/a> (Albuquerque Business First): The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission on Wednesday decided not to immediately hear a case relating to letting the ridesharing service Uber operate in New Mexico. At the PRC hearing, the commission also heard testimony about the similar service, Lyft, said Commissioner Valerie Espinoza. Both services started operating in Albuquerque in late April. The two services contend that they’re not taxi cab services, and as such shouldn’t have to abide by the same laws as taxi cabs. But, the services are similar enough that the PRC has launched investigations into both. Some have questions about the services’ legality, said Commissioner Karen Montoya on Wednesday. The issues will be put on next Wednesday’s PRC agenda.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ann Arbor\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://annarborchronicle.com/2014/05/25/taxicab-board-considers-rates-drivers/\" target=\"_blank\">Taxicab Board Considers Rates, Drivers\u003c/a> (Ann Arbor Chronicle): Two topics addressed by the board at its April 23, 2014 meeting received additional conversation this month. First, the board discussed the possibility of deregulating taxicab fares, or setting them at a much higher maximum. The board also continued discussing whether to recommend that the city council enact an ordinance to regulate all drivers for hire – taxicab drivers, limo drivers, as well as those who drive for Uber and Lyft.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Austin\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2014-06-13/uber-stakes-its-austin-claim/\" target=\"_blank\">Uber stakes Its Austin Claim\u003c/a> (Austin Chronicle): ... Both Lyft and Uber have indicated repeatedly that they're excited to be working with the city on bringing TNCs to Austin, but the two companies' arrivals run in direct contrast to requests from the City Council, which has essentially asked for a bit more time – perhaps even seven months – to figure the whole TNC system out, during which time TNCs are not allowed to take payment for rides. The city, meanwhile, has received informal accusations of entrapment from Lyft, which claims that city staffers have engaged in sting operations to nab violators. In one case, Lyft alleges, a staffer \"purposely left cash behind.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Baltimore\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://technical.ly/baltimore/2014/06/09/uber-appeals-april-psc-ruling/\" target=\"_blank\">Uber appeals Public Service Commission Ruling\u003c/a> (Technical.ly): Uber has appealed an April Maryland Public Service Commission ruling that classified it as a common carrier, company officials announced Monday. In the \u003ca href=\"http://webapp.psc.state.md.us/Intranet/Maillog/submit_new.cfm?MaillogPath=155796&DirPath=C:%5CCasenum%5CAdmin%20Filings%5C110000-159999%5C155796&maillognum=155796\" target=\"_blank\">appeal\u003c/a>, filed Friday, Uber officials claim that Uber is not a public service company and the commission does not have the authority to regulate it. It contends that Uber owns no vehicles used to transport passengers and does not itself transport passengers for money. ... Uber, which \u003ca href=\"http://technical.ly/baltimore/2014/05/23/uber-annapolis-launch/\" target=\"_blank\">launched service in Annapolis\u003c/a> in May, entered the Baltimore market last year. A bill \u003ca href=\"http://technical.ly/baltimore/2014/03/11/uber-ridesharing-case-9325/\" target=\"_blank\">that would have exempted\u003c/a> Uber and competitor Lyft from common carrier regulations \u003ca href=\"http://technical.ly/baltimore/2014/04/09/bill-exempt-uber-lyft-common-carrier-status-fails-pass/\" target=\"_blank\">failed to pass\u003c/a> in the 2014 General Assembly session.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Uber launched a \u003ca href=\"http://technical.ly/baltimore/2014/06/19/uber-driver-video-psc-appeal/\" target=\"_blank\">PR push\u003c/a> following its appeal.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Boston\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.boston.com/business/technology/2014/05/22/boston-taxi-drivers-hold-rally-shut-down-uber/5fLnhOEWls556Cmg6zyaAL/story.html\" target=\"_blank\">Boston Taxi Drivers Hold Rally to Shut Down Uber \u003c/a>(Boston.com): The Boston Taxi Driver’s Association held a “rolling rally” at Uber’s Boston headquarters this afternoon in order to compel city officials to shut down the app until its drivers can be regulated. The demonstration took place at 186 South Street in Boston’s Leather District from 2 to 3 p.m. The organization represents more than 1,400 cab drivers and is arguing that an unregulated taxi service like Uber poses a serious public safety threat because drivers are not vetted by the city before they are allowed to pick up fares.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Cambridge\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.boston.com/business/technology/2014/06/17/cambridge-licensing-board-signals-willingness-work-with-uber/iOtCaBhI96178xsQmbj8KL/story.html\" target=\"_blank\">Cambridge Licensing Board Signals Willingness to Work With Uber\u003c/a> (Boston.com): Uber users, as well as some opponents of the popular ride-calling service, showed up in droves in Cambridge Tuesday night to clash over proposed regulations that Uber said would cause it to cease operations in the city. But by the time the meeting started, some of the tension between the city and the company that had built early this week appeared to have simmered. The proposed regulations would have required companies offering services like Uber’s, and drivers for those companies, to become licensed with the city. It also would have not allowed technology not approved by the city — like Uber’s and its competitor Lyft’s — to be used in any livery service, would have set a minimum price for any ride at $50, and would have banned other elements of Uber’s business model. The commission did not vote on the proposed regulations. It had said there would not be a vote at the meeting earlier in the day. During the meeting, License Commission chair Andrea Spears Jackson said those proposed rules “would not be passed,” and predicted that multiple additional hearings would follow.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Chicago\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://politics.suntimes.com/article/chicago/new-ridesharing-rules-okd-taxi-industry-upset-emanuels-plan/wed-05282014-1122am\" target=\"_blank\">New ridesharing rules OK'd; taxi industry upset by Emanuel's plan\u003c/a> (Chicago Sun-Times): A divided City Council on Wednesday approved Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s plan to fill the regulatory vacuum that has allowed ridesharing companies to siphon business from taxicabs amid warnings that it’s so weak as to render costly taxi medallions “worthless.” The ridesharing industry, whose investors include the mayor’s brother, was pleased with the ordinance approved by a 34-10 vote. The taxicab industry, its City Council allies and a union representing cabdrivers was not.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>A local municipal workers union \u003ca href=\"http://politics.suntimes.com/article/chicago/emanuels-taxi-reforms-cost-average-cabdriver-7500-study/wed-06112014-1237pm\" target=\"_blank\">says Emanuel's plan costs the average cab driver $7,500\u003c/a>.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Connecticut\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-05-22/uber-lyft-face-racketeering-lawsuit-by-connecticut-cab-groups.html\" target=\"_blank\">Uber, Lyft Accused of Racketeering in Connecticut Suit\u003c/a> (Bloomberg): Ride-sharing services Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc. were accused of racketeering in a lawsuit by Connecticut taxi and livery firms, which said the companies “prey parasitically” on established services. The services, operating without proper licenses, “cut corners illegally” and undermine “critical safety provisions of Connecticut taxi and livery laws,” the taxi companies said in a complaint filed yesterday in New Haven federal court.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Denver\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_25907057/colorado-first-authorize-lyft-and-ubers-ridesharing-services\" target=\"_blank\">Colorado first to authorize Lyft and Uber's ridesharing services\u003c/a> (Denver Post): Gov. John Hickenlooper on Thursday signed into law \u003ca href=\"http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_25661374/colorado-likely-first-legislatively-authorize-ride-share-services\" target=\"_blank\">a bill that officially authorizes ride-sharing services\u003c/a>, making Colorado the first state to legislatively embrace disruptive transportation offerings from upstarts such as Uber Technologies and Lyft. ... He called for Colorado regulators to review rules placed on taxis and limos, questioning whether they're still appropriate or necessary with the advent of so-called transportation network companies like Lyft and Uber. Throughout the legislative process, taxi officials had argued ride-sharing companies have unfair advantages because they don't face similar regulations as cabbies, such as rate, coverage area and insurance requirements.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Hampton Roads, Va.\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.timesdispatch.com/news/state-regional/uber-says-it-will-operate-despite-dmv-s-cease-and/article_216140ee-eda3-11e3-8d40-0017a43b2370.html\" target=\"_blank\">Uber says it will operate despite DMV's 'cease and desist' order\u003c/a> (Hampton Roads Daily Press): The car ride services Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc. said Friday that they plan to operate as usual in the state, despite cease-and-desist letters from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. The DMV on Thursday ordered Uber and Lyft, taxilike service companies, to stop operating in Virginia in violation of state law and said unauthorized drivers could face penalties.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Houston\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/nuts-and-bolts/2014/06/uber-and-lyft-still-in-limbo-in-houston.html\" target=\"_blank\">Uber and Lyft still in limbo in Houston\u003c/a> (Houston Business Journal): The Houston City Council delayed a vote until July 30 on regulations for the vehicles-for-hire industry, keeping UberTechnologies Inc. and Lyft Inc.'s legal status in Houston in limbo. Council member Mike Laster proposed an initial delay of 60 days, saying, \"I believe this cake is not fully baked.\" The delay was then reduced to 45 days. ... The vote is now scheduled for July 30, or until a consensus is met by all the stakeholders involved in negotiations. Several council members, including C.O. “Brad” Bradford, didn’t feel the delay was necessary and asked for the vote to take place sooner rather than later.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Kansas City\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2014/06/16/kansas-city-mayor-uber-legal.html\" target=\"_blank\">James: Uber is now legal in Kansas City\u003c/a> (Kansas City Business Journal): Uber Technologies Inc. is now operating inside the law in Kansas City. Late on Saturday night, Mayor \u003ca href=\"http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/search/results?q=Sly%20James\" target=\"_blank\">Sly James\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/MayorSlyJames/status/478061431426793473\" target=\"_blank\">tweeted\u003c/a> that the San Francisco-based ride-sharing company is now operating \"legally and in compliance\" in the city. Joni Wickham, a spokeswoman for the mayor's office, said the Mayor's tweet was in reference to the fact that Uber is not charging for their services. Until they charge for their services, they are legally operating. She said that Uber is working with city staff to to go through the process to get a permit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Las Vegas\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/traffic-transportation/nevada-officials-warn-about-insurance-ride-sharing-programs\" title=\"Nevada officials warn about insurance in ride sharing programs\" target=\"_blank\">Nevada officials warn about insurance in ride sharing programs\u003c/a> (Las Vegas Review Journal):\u003cbr>\nThe state’s Division of Insurance is warning the public that it could be at risk when accepting a ride with a ride-sharing company. The Nevada Division of Insurance issued a release suggesting that people confirm that a driver has commercial car insurance before accepting a ride with companies such as Uber, Lyft and Sidecar. San Francisco-based Uber is looking to enter the Las Vegas market and has advertised for drivers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>The announcement came less than two weeks after managers of Southern Nevada's largest taxi group \u003ca href=\"http://www.reviewjournal.com/business/tourism/las-vegas-cab-company-makes-uber-threat\" target=\"_blank\">posted a memorandum to employees\u003c/a>, warning them of the consequences of going to work for a mobile application rideshare company, according to the Review Journal.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Los Angeles\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2014/06/10/councilmembers-taxi-drivers-to-protest-ridesharing-apps-like-uber-at-city-hall/\" target=\"_blank\">Councilmembers, Taxi Drivers Protest Ridesharing Apps At City Hall\u003c/a> (CBS Los Angeles): Hundreds of taxicab drivers descended on the steps of City Hall Tuesday morning to protest popular ridesharing apps. The drivers were joined by councilmembers Paul Koretz and Gil Cedillo to protest unregulated and unrestricted taxi apps such as Uber, Lyft and Sidecar. Demonstrators said drivers of so-called “bandit cabs” do not have to pass background checks using fingerprints or have their vehicles inspected for safety.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Milwaukee\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/milwaukee-aldermen-to-consider-transforming-taxi-landscape-b99294012z1-263652731.html\" target=\"_blank\">Milwaukee Common Council panel backs taxi proposal\u003c/a> (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel): By a 3-0 vote, members of the city's Public Works Committee on Wednesday sent to the Common Council a proposed ordinance that revamps the way taxis operate in Milwaukee. In addition to doing away with a cap on the number of taxicab permits, the proposal also makes room for new technology-based smartphone apps such as Uber and Lyft in which riders are matched with drivers. Those new services have been operating for months in the city, though council members say they are currently operating in violation of current ordinances .... After (Uber and Lyft) began offering rides, some council members...pivoted and began to push for an unfettered free enterprise system for public passenger vehicles. They have since been joined by the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce. Steve Baas, MMAC's vice president for governmental affairs, said the pro-business group favored wider transportation options.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Miami\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/06/10/usa-florida-taxis-idUSL2N0OQ25M20140610\" target=\"_blank\">Authorities clamp down on ride-sharing services in Miami\u003c/a> (Reuters): Miami-Dade County officials have refused to license drivers for Lyft and Uber, a similar service, arguing the driver-owned vehicles should comply with the same regulations as taxi companies. Lyft and Uber, however, argue they are different, describing themselves as technology companies that provide mobile applications connecting private drivers with passenger. ... Lyft and Uber launched in Miami last month despite the risk of heavy fines and after an unsuccessful two-year lobbying effort to persuade Miami lawmakers to change the regulations. Since then, the county has impounded three cars and fined eight drivers as much as $2,000, according to Raul Gonzalez, an official with Miami-Dade County's regulatory and economic resources department. Police in Miami have posed as riders and then issued fines to the drivers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Minneapolis\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2014/05/despite_commerce_department_warning_jacob_frey_says_uberlyft_ordinance_still_on_its_way.php\" target=\"_blank\">Despite Commerce Department warning, Jacob Frey says Uber/Lyft ordinance still on its way\u003c/a> (Minneapolis City Pages): A few weeks ago, the Minnesota Commerce Department issued a warning to folks considering using so-called \"transportation network companies\" like Lyft or Uber. \"The Commerce Department wants Minnesotans to know that there may be gaps in auto insurance coverage for both the drivers and passengers using TNCs,\" the department said in a statement. \"There may not be coverage for an accident because most personal auto insurance policies contain exclusions when drivers use their personal cars for a commercial (business) purpose. For example, if you participate in a regular, non-business car pool, you would be covered. If you charge passengers a fee, you may not be covered if you get into an accident. ... But Jacob Frey, the Minneapolis City Council member who is taking the lead in drawing up an ordinance to regulate currently unregulated TNC companies doesn't think the Commerce Department's warning is a big deal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Nashville\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://nashvillepublicradio.org/blog/2014/06/13/ridesharing-services-like-lyft-uber-will-face-new-regulations-end-summer/\">Ridesharing Services Like Lyft and Uber Will Face New Regulations By End of Summer\u003c/a> (Nashville Public Radio): Popular ridesharing services like Lyft and Uber may soon be coming under new regulations. Billy Fields, who leads the city’s Transportation and Licensing Commission, said companies like Lyft and Uber are considered “drivers for hire,” not taxis. And under that title, they need to have a permit and be working for a licensed company. Under Nashville’s current law, Lyft and Uber are technically illegal. ... Metro Police could not say how many tickets have been issued to drivers. By the end of the summer, Fields said he will go in front of Metro Council to ask that a new law be written. It’ll require that rideshare companies have special licenses, inspections and the same insurance taxi drivers are required to have.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>New Jersey\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.cnbc.com/id/101732424\" target=\"_blank\">Uber a risky ride for passengers, states warn\u003c/a> (CNBC): Uber is under siege. It's not from a rival company, such as Lyft or Sidecar, because they may be in the same boat. It's from states that are warning passengers they may not be covered by insurance if the driver has an accident. New Jersey last week became the 14th state along with the District of Columbia to issue warnings about the risks of using ride-shares such as Uber, Lyft or Sidecar.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>New Orleans \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.fox8live.com/story/25779114/could-uber-be-headed-toward-new-orleans\" target=\"_blank\">Could Uber be headed toward New Orleans?\u003c/a>: (WVUE): Ryan Kelly, a writer for New Orleans CityBusiness, explains, \"UberBLACK is a luxury black car sedan service that has a little bit higher fares than a taxi and that's what they're trying to bring in right now.\" With the tap of a finger, users can order an Uber car to take them wherever they please. Just last week, the New Orleans City Council introduced an ordinance that would govern how the system worked, if brought here. Riders would pay a minimum of $25 for sedans and $35 for SUV's. But Uber cars don't have meters and don't really have any cap on how much they can charge riders. In many other places, the company also has UberX which is more comparable to a taxi service. \"Uber has a history of introducing the UberBLACK service in cities and then eventually following with UberX,\" said Kelly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>New York\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-06-02/while-uber-thrives-in-new-york-its-competitors-battle-regulators\" target=\"_blank\">While Uber Thrives in New York, Its Competitors Lobby Regulators\u003c/a> (BusinessWeek):\u003cspan style=\"color: #222222\"> Lyft would love to operate in New York City, but city regulations prohibit the startup’s version of a taxi service, in which nonprofessionals use private vehicles to shuttle passengers....While Lyft tries to figure out a way in, Uber is gaining significant traction with New Yorkers. Lyft has a tougher time because its service is considerably different from the activity the TLC is used to regulating. For all the hype, Uber in New York is basically a black-car service with a tech twist. Lyft, on the other hand, wants looser regulations for its drivers. \u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Orlando\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2014-06-18/news/os-uber-orlando-clash-20140618_1_uber-drivers-uberx-taxi-rules\" target=\"_blank\">Uber will talk taxi rules with Orlando City Hall\u003c/a> (Orlando Sentinel): Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer is taking a diplomatic approach with Uber, the next-gen taxi service the city says is breaking its cars-for-hire laws. The San Francisco-based company has requested a meeting with the mayor, two weeks after it launched in Orlando with no advance notice to City Hall. The planned meeting heads off — at least for now — the city's plan to begin enforcing its taxi regulations against Uber drivers. \"Uber reached out to us, which I see as a positive thing,\" Dyer said Wednesday. \"We're an aggressively technology-centric city, and Uber is the new thing right now, with a new way of doing things.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Pittsburgh\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2014/06/17/Peduto-wants-PUC-to/stories/201406170163\" target=\"_blank\">Lyft, Uber have no plans to leave state despite enforcement\u003c/a> (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette): Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto reiterated his support for Lyft and Uber on Tuesday, even as the state scheduled hearings to decide whether to issue cease-and-desist orders against the ride-sharing companies. Mr. Peduto sent a letter to the leadership of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to express his “disappointment” with the agency's actions against the San Francisco ride-share companies. The PUC’s enforcement bureau is seeking to prevent both companies from operating in Pennsylvania. ... Although PUC chairman Robert Powelson has expressed his support for Lyft and Uber in the past, the PUC’s investigation and enforcement arm issued citations to 23 ride-share drivers in March and April, and has proposed additional daily fines of $1,000 per day against each company.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>San Antonio\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.foxsanantonio.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/ridesharing-company-offering-free-rides-amid-controversy-4589.shtml#.U6MOQo1dWSM\" target=\"_blank\">Ride-Sharing Company Offering Free Rides Amid Controversy\u003c/a> (FOX 29): The ride sharing company \"Uber\" is trying to win over fans, but the San Antonio Police Department is warning drivers to beware. Uber is teaming up with Crown Royal to offer free rides to people 21 or older Wednesday during the Spurs celebration who download the Uber app and enter the promo code: ReignOn. \"We know people are going to be out enjoying the festivities and parades, and we want people to have a safe and free ride and a designated driver,” said Will Zinsmeister with Uber San Antonio. ... However, that's not necessarily how the City of San Antonio sees it. Uber is operating in violation of the city's taxi cab ordinance, which states drivers must be licensed and regulated by the city in order for money to be exchanged for services. ... Yellow cab, along with other taxi companies, filed a lawsuit against Uber and ride-sharing company “Lyft” saying they are operating illegally in San Antonio.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Santa Barbara\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.independent.com/news/2014/jun/02/cabbies-take-uber-drivers-task/\" target=\"_blank\">Cabbies Take Uber Drivers to Task\u003c/a> (Santa Barbara Independent): Disgruntled taxi drivers gathered outside City Hall last Friday afternoon to argue companies like Uber and Lyft are violating Santa Barbara law. Congregating on the sidewalk and holding signs above their heads, several cabbies contended the drivers hailed by taxi apps get an unfair advantage because they are not bound by the same regulations that the 68 taxi companies here must adhere to. Murmurs from frustrated taxi drivers have circulated since Uber landed in town last fall — Lyft launched a couple of months ago — but Friday marked the first coordinated protest, as cab drivers claimed their revenue has since dropped by 60 percent.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Seattle\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.geekwire.com/2014/seattle-legalizes-uber-lyft-caps/\" target=\"_blank\">Seattle mayor reaches deal to legalize Uber, Lyft and Sidecar, without driver limits\u003c/a> (GeekWire): After more than one year of City Council meetings, protests and debate, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray today announced an agreement between the major industry players, the taxi industry and city officials that will let app-based transportation services such as Lyft, Sidecar and UberX keep operating without any limit on the number of drivers that can be on the street at any given time. That’s a big change from the original ordinance that was approved by the City Council in March, which set a maximum of 150 active drivers per company — a decision that left the ride-sharing companies unhappy. ... The agreement still needs to be approved by the Seattle City Council.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>St. Louis\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/blog/biznext/2014/06/lyft-still-can-t-do-business-in-st-louis-judge.html\" target=\"_blank\">Lyft still can't do business in St. Louis, judge rules\u003c/a> (St. Louis Business Journal): The temporary restraining order against Lyft in St. Louis has been extended, meaning the peer-to-peer ride sharing app won’t be able to do business until a St. Louis circuit court judge makes an official ruling at a later date. ... Lyft opened for business in St. Louis in mid-April. Just a few days later, it was handed a temporary restraining order prohibiting it from doing business in the city or county. The Metropolitan Taxicab Commission maintains Lyft should fall under its regulations. Lyft says its business model excludes it from those regulations.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Tampa\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.tampabay.com/news/transportation/regulatory-agency-seeks-help-in-crackdown-against-uber-lyft/2183977\" target=\"_blank\">Regulatory agency seeks help in crackdown against Uber, Lyft\u003c/a> (Tampa Bay Times): In its crackdown on the increasingly popular but unregulated Uber and Lyft ride-sharing programs, the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission agreed Wednesday to ask other law enforcement agencies for help. The two outfits have operated in Tampa for several months now, causing friction with the transportation commission and the taxi and limousine industries, which say the companies are in violation of state laws and local regulations. Uber and Lyft don't carry the proper insurance and aren't certified, they say. ... So far, PTC inspectors have fined 12 drivers and issued 44 tickets that come with fines ranging from $100 to $500.\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_118106\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 640px\">\u003cimg class=\"size-full wp-image-118106\" src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2014/11/uber.jpg\" alt=\"Local regulators have been unsuccessful in gaining access to TNCs excess liability insurance policies. (Adam Fagen/Flickr)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Uber car. (Adam Fagen/Flickr)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Uber has been so successful in supplanting taxis that fear and loathing of the San Francisco-based company united cab drivers across Europe last week — even amid the nationalistic fervor of the World Cup. Tens of thousands of drivers in London, Paris and Berlin, among other cities, \u003ca href=\"http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-06-10/uber-protests-spread-across-europe-as-taxi-app-backlash-grows.html\" target=\"_blank\">snarled traffic in some of the densest thoroughfares on the continent\u003c/a>, all in protest of the company that in varying degrees has eaten their dejeuner, almuerzo and lunch in the \u003ca href=\"https://www.uber.com/cities\" target=\"_blank\">128 cities\u003c/a> around the world in which it has set up shop.\u003c/p>\n\u003caside class=\"pullquote alignleft\">\u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/06/19/2014/uber-lyft-regulations#updates\">Click here for city-by-city Uber and Lyft updates\u003c/a>\u003c/aside>\n\u003cp>And what a feast it’s been. On June 6, Uber announced it had raised an additional $1.2 billion in investment capital to \u003ca href=\"http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/06/06/uber-raises-new-funds-at-17-billion-valuation/?module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3Ar\" target=\"_blank\">up its valuation to $18.2 billion\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\"You’re worth more than Whole Foods, you’re worth more than Tiffany and company,” a CNBC anchor breathlessly informed Uber CEO Travis Kalanick during an \u003ca href=\"http://nyti.ms/1xl7GNP\" target=\"_blank\">interview after the announcement\u003c/a>. Kalanick replied that Uber is actually undervalued. (\u003ca href=\"http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/uber-isnt-worth-17-billion/\" target=\"_blank\">Others\u003c/a>, meanwhile, think the $18.2 billion number is \u003ca href=\"http://www.cnbc.com/id/101762832\" target=\"_blank\">way too big\u003c/a>.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Locally, Uber has become a major employer in San Francisco. The company says it has 500 people working at its headquarters in the city. That's in addition to all the drivers now earning a living by connecting with passengers through Uber's app. One group not seeing the benefits of this expansion: taxi companies and the drivers who have yet to switch over to Uber or Lyft, a smaller yet growing rival also based in San Francisco. The city's taxi business is off so much that the owner of DeSoto Cab Co., Hansu Kim, said this month that the industry's survival is threatened.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“When I say the taxi industry may not survive 18 months or so, I’m seeing a situation where those who drove a taxicab in the past are now taking their personal cars and acting like a cab on their own,” \u003ca href=\"http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2014/06/06/san-francisco-desoto-taxi-cab-company-ceo-industry-may-not-survive-the-next-18-months-uber-lyft-sidecar-rideshare/\" target=\"_blank\">he told KPIX\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Yet for all the rapid success of Uber and Lyft, which the state of California calls transportation network companies, or TNCs, there is also a growing resistance to their operations by regulators and insurers across the country.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Both the California Department of Insurance and Public Utilities Commission, which regulates TNCs, have sided with the insurance industry's assessment that current cheaper excess coverage the companies offer to protect drivers and passengers is based on a fictional belief that a driver's personal insurer will tolerate paying claims for individuals who drive commercially.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Every other business in California has to have insurance to cover their activities,\" said Mark Sektnan, president of the Association of California Insurance Companies. \"Why is this business any different?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Both the utilities commission and the state Legislature are now \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/06/17/2014/Uber-Lyft-Insurance-crack-down\" target=\"_blank\">considering proposals to toughen TNC insurance requirements\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As you'll see in our roundup below, California is far from the only state where Uber and Lyft are coming under regulatory, legislative or legal pressure. The novelty of a business model that has encouraged thousands of everyday drivers to hit the road in their own vehicles in quest of paying passengers has taken the system of transportation oversight, developed over decades, by almost complete surprise.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This has resulted in a fair amount of confusion and conflict, including lawsuits, protests, fines and threats. What is also notable is the willingness by Uber and Lyft to openly defy local authorities who have determined the companies are operating illegally.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>How it all shakes out will determine just how large this innovative industry becomes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Regulatory overhang is obviously something investors and (Uber) need to be mindful of,\" said Anand Sanwal, CEO of CB Insights, which tracks high-growth private companies. \"It seems, at least to date, they’ve figured out ways to operate in markets they’ve wanted to in compliance with these issues, or they’re paying fines with the view that this legislation will be overturned or public outcry will make it go away. Obviously, investors feel that way too. But Uber does have regulatory risks.\"\u003ca name=\"updates\">\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Here are what various media are reporting about the road wars around the U.S.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Albuquerque\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/blog/morning-edition/2014/06/prc-keeps-meter-running-on-ridesharing-hearing.html\" target=\"_blank\">PRC Keeps Meter Running on Ridesharing Hearing\u003c/a> (Albuquerque Business First): The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission on Wednesday decided not to immediately hear a case relating to letting the ridesharing service Uber operate in New Mexico. At the PRC hearing, the commission also heard testimony about the similar service, Lyft, said Commissioner Valerie Espinoza. Both services started operating in Albuquerque in late April. The two services contend that they’re not taxi cab services, and as such shouldn’t have to abide by the same laws as taxi cabs. But, the services are similar enough that the PRC has launched investigations into both. Some have questions about the services’ legality, said Commissioner Karen Montoya on Wednesday. The issues will be put on next Wednesday’s PRC agenda.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ann Arbor\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://annarborchronicle.com/2014/05/25/taxicab-board-considers-rates-drivers/\" target=\"_blank\">Taxicab Board Considers Rates, Drivers\u003c/a> (Ann Arbor Chronicle): Two topics addressed by the board at its April 23, 2014 meeting received additional conversation this month. First, the board discussed the possibility of deregulating taxicab fares, or setting them at a much higher maximum. The board also continued discussing whether to recommend that the city council enact an ordinance to regulate all drivers for hire – taxicab drivers, limo drivers, as well as those who drive for Uber and Lyft.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Austin\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2014-06-13/uber-stakes-its-austin-claim/\" target=\"_blank\">Uber stakes Its Austin Claim\u003c/a> (Austin Chronicle): ... Both Lyft and Uber have indicated repeatedly that they're excited to be working with the city on bringing TNCs to Austin, but the two companies' arrivals run in direct contrast to requests from the City Council, which has essentially asked for a bit more time – perhaps even seven months – to figure the whole TNC system out, during which time TNCs are not allowed to take payment for rides. The city, meanwhile, has received informal accusations of entrapment from Lyft, which claims that city staffers have engaged in sting operations to nab violators. In one case, Lyft alleges, a staffer \"purposely left cash behind.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Baltimore\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://technical.ly/baltimore/2014/06/09/uber-appeals-april-psc-ruling/\" target=\"_blank\">Uber appeals Public Service Commission Ruling\u003c/a> (Technical.ly): Uber has appealed an April Maryland Public Service Commission ruling that classified it as a common carrier, company officials announced Monday. In the \u003ca href=\"http://webapp.psc.state.md.us/Intranet/Maillog/submit_new.cfm?MaillogPath=155796&DirPath=C:%5CCasenum%5CAdmin%20Filings%5C110000-159999%5C155796&maillognum=155796\" target=\"_blank\">appeal\u003c/a>, filed Friday, Uber officials claim that Uber is not a public service company and the commission does not have the authority to regulate it. It contends that Uber owns no vehicles used to transport passengers and does not itself transport passengers for money. ... Uber, which \u003ca href=\"http://technical.ly/baltimore/2014/05/23/uber-annapolis-launch/\" target=\"_blank\">launched service in Annapolis\u003c/a> in May, entered the Baltimore market last year. A bill \u003ca href=\"http://technical.ly/baltimore/2014/03/11/uber-ridesharing-case-9325/\" target=\"_blank\">that would have exempted\u003c/a> Uber and competitor Lyft from common carrier regulations \u003ca href=\"http://technical.ly/baltimore/2014/04/09/bill-exempt-uber-lyft-common-carrier-status-fails-pass/\" target=\"_blank\">failed to pass\u003c/a> in the 2014 General Assembly session.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Uber launched a \u003ca href=\"http://technical.ly/baltimore/2014/06/19/uber-driver-video-psc-appeal/\" target=\"_blank\">PR push\u003c/a> following its appeal.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Boston\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.boston.com/business/technology/2014/05/22/boston-taxi-drivers-hold-rally-shut-down-uber/5fLnhOEWls556Cmg6zyaAL/story.html\" target=\"_blank\">Boston Taxi Drivers Hold Rally to Shut Down Uber \u003c/a>(Boston.com): The Boston Taxi Driver’s Association held a “rolling rally” at Uber’s Boston headquarters this afternoon in order to compel city officials to shut down the app until its drivers can be regulated. The demonstration took place at 186 South Street in Boston’s Leather District from 2 to 3 p.m. The organization represents more than 1,400 cab drivers and is arguing that an unregulated taxi service like Uber poses a serious public safety threat because drivers are not vetted by the city before they are allowed to pick up fares.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Cambridge\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.boston.com/business/technology/2014/06/17/cambridge-licensing-board-signals-willingness-work-with-uber/iOtCaBhI96178xsQmbj8KL/story.html\" target=\"_blank\">Cambridge Licensing Board Signals Willingness to Work With Uber\u003c/a> (Boston.com): Uber users, as well as some opponents of the popular ride-calling service, showed up in droves in Cambridge Tuesday night to clash over proposed regulations that Uber said would cause it to cease operations in the city. But by the time the meeting started, some of the tension between the city and the company that had built early this week appeared to have simmered. The proposed regulations would have required companies offering services like Uber’s, and drivers for those companies, to become licensed with the city. It also would have not allowed technology not approved by the city — like Uber’s and its competitor Lyft’s — to be used in any livery service, would have set a minimum price for any ride at $50, and would have banned other elements of Uber’s business model. The commission did not vote on the proposed regulations. It had said there would not be a vote at the meeting earlier in the day. During the meeting, License Commission chair Andrea Spears Jackson said those proposed rules “would not be passed,” and predicted that multiple additional hearings would follow.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Chicago\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://politics.suntimes.com/article/chicago/new-ridesharing-rules-okd-taxi-industry-upset-emanuels-plan/wed-05282014-1122am\" target=\"_blank\">New ridesharing rules OK'd; taxi industry upset by Emanuel's plan\u003c/a> (Chicago Sun-Times): A divided City Council on Wednesday approved Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s plan to fill the regulatory vacuum that has allowed ridesharing companies to siphon business from taxicabs amid warnings that it’s so weak as to render costly taxi medallions “worthless.” The ridesharing industry, whose investors include the mayor’s brother, was pleased with the ordinance approved by a 34-10 vote. The taxicab industry, its City Council allies and a union representing cabdrivers was not.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>A local municipal workers union \u003ca href=\"http://politics.suntimes.com/article/chicago/emanuels-taxi-reforms-cost-average-cabdriver-7500-study/wed-06112014-1237pm\" target=\"_blank\">says Emanuel's plan costs the average cab driver $7,500\u003c/a>.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Connecticut\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-05-22/uber-lyft-face-racketeering-lawsuit-by-connecticut-cab-groups.html\" target=\"_blank\">Uber, Lyft Accused of Racketeering in Connecticut Suit\u003c/a> (Bloomberg): Ride-sharing services Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc. were accused of racketeering in a lawsuit by Connecticut taxi and livery firms, which said the companies “prey parasitically” on established services. The services, operating without proper licenses, “cut corners illegally” and undermine “critical safety provisions of Connecticut taxi and livery laws,” the taxi companies said in a complaint filed yesterday in New Haven federal court.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Denver\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_25907057/colorado-first-authorize-lyft-and-ubers-ridesharing-services\" target=\"_blank\">Colorado first to authorize Lyft and Uber's ridesharing services\u003c/a> (Denver Post): Gov. John Hickenlooper on Thursday signed into law \u003ca href=\"http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_25661374/colorado-likely-first-legislatively-authorize-ride-share-services\" target=\"_blank\">a bill that officially authorizes ride-sharing services\u003c/a>, making Colorado the first state to legislatively embrace disruptive transportation offerings from upstarts such as Uber Technologies and Lyft. ... He called for Colorado regulators to review rules placed on taxis and limos, questioning whether they're still appropriate or necessary with the advent of so-called transportation network companies like Lyft and Uber. Throughout the legislative process, taxi officials had argued ride-sharing companies have unfair advantages because they don't face similar regulations as cabbies, such as rate, coverage area and insurance requirements.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Hampton Roads, Va.\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.timesdispatch.com/news/state-regional/uber-says-it-will-operate-despite-dmv-s-cease-and/article_216140ee-eda3-11e3-8d40-0017a43b2370.html\" target=\"_blank\">Uber says it will operate despite DMV's 'cease and desist' order\u003c/a> (Hampton Roads Daily Press): The car ride services Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc. said Friday that they plan to operate as usual in the state, despite cease-and-desist letters from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. The DMV on Thursday ordered Uber and Lyft, taxilike service companies, to stop operating in Virginia in violation of state law and said unauthorized drivers could face penalties.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Houston\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/nuts-and-bolts/2014/06/uber-and-lyft-still-in-limbo-in-houston.html\" target=\"_blank\">Uber and Lyft still in limbo in Houston\u003c/a> (Houston Business Journal): The Houston City Council delayed a vote until July 30 on regulations for the vehicles-for-hire industry, keeping UberTechnologies Inc. and Lyft Inc.'s legal status in Houston in limbo. Council member Mike Laster proposed an initial delay of 60 days, saying, \"I believe this cake is not fully baked.\" The delay was then reduced to 45 days. ... The vote is now scheduled for July 30, or until a consensus is met by all the stakeholders involved in negotiations. Several council members, including C.O. “Brad” Bradford, didn’t feel the delay was necessary and asked for the vote to take place sooner rather than later.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Kansas City\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2014/06/16/kansas-city-mayor-uber-legal.html\" target=\"_blank\">James: Uber is now legal in Kansas City\u003c/a> (Kansas City Business Journal): Uber Technologies Inc. is now operating inside the law in Kansas City. Late on Saturday night, Mayor \u003ca href=\"http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/search/results?q=Sly%20James\" target=\"_blank\">Sly James\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/MayorSlyJames/status/478061431426793473\" target=\"_blank\">tweeted\u003c/a> that the San Francisco-based ride-sharing company is now operating \"legally and in compliance\" in the city. Joni Wickham, a spokeswoman for the mayor's office, said the Mayor's tweet was in reference to the fact that Uber is not charging for their services. Until they charge for their services, they are legally operating. She said that Uber is working with city staff to to go through the process to get a permit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Las Vegas\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/traffic-transportation/nevada-officials-warn-about-insurance-ride-sharing-programs\" title=\"Nevada officials warn about insurance in ride sharing programs\" target=\"_blank\">Nevada officials warn about insurance in ride sharing programs\u003c/a> (Las Vegas Review Journal):\u003cbr>\nThe state’s Division of Insurance is warning the public that it could be at risk when accepting a ride with a ride-sharing company. The Nevada Division of Insurance issued a release suggesting that people confirm that a driver has commercial car insurance before accepting a ride with companies such as Uber, Lyft and Sidecar. San Francisco-based Uber is looking to enter the Las Vegas market and has advertised for drivers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>The announcement came less than two weeks after managers of Southern Nevada's largest taxi group \u003ca href=\"http://www.reviewjournal.com/business/tourism/las-vegas-cab-company-makes-uber-threat\" target=\"_blank\">posted a memorandum to employees\u003c/a>, warning them of the consequences of going to work for a mobile application rideshare company, according to the Review Journal.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Los Angeles\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2014/06/10/councilmembers-taxi-drivers-to-protest-ridesharing-apps-like-uber-at-city-hall/\" target=\"_blank\">Councilmembers, Taxi Drivers Protest Ridesharing Apps At City Hall\u003c/a> (CBS Los Angeles): Hundreds of taxicab drivers descended on the steps of City Hall Tuesday morning to protest popular ridesharing apps. The drivers were joined by councilmembers Paul Koretz and Gil Cedillo to protest unregulated and unrestricted taxi apps such as Uber, Lyft and Sidecar. Demonstrators said drivers of so-called “bandit cabs” do not have to pass background checks using fingerprints or have their vehicles inspected for safety.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Milwaukee\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/milwaukee-aldermen-to-consider-transforming-taxi-landscape-b99294012z1-263652731.html\" target=\"_blank\">Milwaukee Common Council panel backs taxi proposal\u003c/a> (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel): By a 3-0 vote, members of the city's Public Works Committee on Wednesday sent to the Common Council a proposed ordinance that revamps the way taxis operate in Milwaukee. In addition to doing away with a cap on the number of taxicab permits, the proposal also makes room for new technology-based smartphone apps such as Uber and Lyft in which riders are matched with drivers. Those new services have been operating for months in the city, though council members say they are currently operating in violation of current ordinances .... After (Uber and Lyft) began offering rides, some council members...pivoted and began to push for an unfettered free enterprise system for public passenger vehicles. They have since been joined by the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce. Steve Baas, MMAC's vice president for governmental affairs, said the pro-business group favored wider transportation options.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Miami\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/06/10/usa-florida-taxis-idUSL2N0OQ25M20140610\" target=\"_blank\">Authorities clamp down on ride-sharing services in Miami\u003c/a> (Reuters): Miami-Dade County officials have refused to license drivers for Lyft and Uber, a similar service, arguing the driver-owned vehicles should comply with the same regulations as taxi companies. Lyft and Uber, however, argue they are different, describing themselves as technology companies that provide mobile applications connecting private drivers with passenger. ... Lyft and Uber launched in Miami last month despite the risk of heavy fines and after an unsuccessful two-year lobbying effort to persuade Miami lawmakers to change the regulations. Since then, the county has impounded three cars and fined eight drivers as much as $2,000, according to Raul Gonzalez, an official with Miami-Dade County's regulatory and economic resources department. Police in Miami have posed as riders and then issued fines to the drivers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Minneapolis\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2014/05/despite_commerce_department_warning_jacob_frey_says_uberlyft_ordinance_still_on_its_way.php\" target=\"_blank\">Despite Commerce Department warning, Jacob Frey says Uber/Lyft ordinance still on its way\u003c/a> (Minneapolis City Pages): A few weeks ago, the Minnesota Commerce Department issued a warning to folks considering using so-called \"transportation network companies\" like Lyft or Uber. \"The Commerce Department wants Minnesotans to know that there may be gaps in auto insurance coverage for both the drivers and passengers using TNCs,\" the department said in a statement. \"There may not be coverage for an accident because most personal auto insurance policies contain exclusions when drivers use their personal cars for a commercial (business) purpose. For example, if you participate in a regular, non-business car pool, you would be covered. If you charge passengers a fee, you may not be covered if you get into an accident. ... But Jacob Frey, the Minneapolis City Council member who is taking the lead in drawing up an ordinance to regulate currently unregulated TNC companies doesn't think the Commerce Department's warning is a big deal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Nashville\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://nashvillepublicradio.org/blog/2014/06/13/ridesharing-services-like-lyft-uber-will-face-new-regulations-end-summer/\">Ridesharing Services Like Lyft and Uber Will Face New Regulations By End of Summer\u003c/a> (Nashville Public Radio): Popular ridesharing services like Lyft and Uber may soon be coming under new regulations. Billy Fields, who leads the city’s Transportation and Licensing Commission, said companies like Lyft and Uber are considered “drivers for hire,” not taxis. And under that title, they need to have a permit and be working for a licensed company. Under Nashville’s current law, Lyft and Uber are technically illegal. ... Metro Police could not say how many tickets have been issued to drivers. By the end of the summer, Fields said he will go in front of Metro Council to ask that a new law be written. It’ll require that rideshare companies have special licenses, inspections and the same insurance taxi drivers are required to have.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>New Jersey\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.cnbc.com/id/101732424\" target=\"_blank\">Uber a risky ride for passengers, states warn\u003c/a> (CNBC): Uber is under siege. It's not from a rival company, such as Lyft or Sidecar, because they may be in the same boat. It's from states that are warning passengers they may not be covered by insurance if the driver has an accident. New Jersey last week became the 14th state along with the District of Columbia to issue warnings about the risks of using ride-shares such as Uber, Lyft or Sidecar.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>New Orleans \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.fox8live.com/story/25779114/could-uber-be-headed-toward-new-orleans\" target=\"_blank\">Could Uber be headed toward New Orleans?\u003c/a>: (WVUE): Ryan Kelly, a writer for New Orleans CityBusiness, explains, \"UberBLACK is a luxury black car sedan service that has a little bit higher fares than a taxi and that's what they're trying to bring in right now.\" With the tap of a finger, users can order an Uber car to take them wherever they please. Just last week, the New Orleans City Council introduced an ordinance that would govern how the system worked, if brought here. Riders would pay a minimum of $25 for sedans and $35 for SUV's. But Uber cars don't have meters and don't really have any cap on how much they can charge riders. In many other places, the company also has UberX which is more comparable to a taxi service. \"Uber has a history of introducing the UberBLACK service in cities and then eventually following with UberX,\" said Kelly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>New York\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-06-02/while-uber-thrives-in-new-york-its-competitors-battle-regulators\" target=\"_blank\">While Uber Thrives in New York, Its Competitors Lobby Regulators\u003c/a> (BusinessWeek):\u003cspan style=\"color: #222222\"> Lyft would love to operate in New York City, but city regulations prohibit the startup’s version of a taxi service, in which nonprofessionals use private vehicles to shuttle passengers....While Lyft tries to figure out a way in, Uber is gaining significant traction with New Yorkers. Lyft has a tougher time because its service is considerably different from the activity the TLC is used to regulating. For all the hype, Uber in New York is basically a black-car service with a tech twist. Lyft, on the other hand, wants looser regulations for its drivers. \u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Orlando\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2014-06-18/news/os-uber-orlando-clash-20140618_1_uber-drivers-uberx-taxi-rules\" target=\"_blank\">Uber will talk taxi rules with Orlando City Hall\u003c/a> (Orlando Sentinel): Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer is taking a diplomatic approach with Uber, the next-gen taxi service the city says is breaking its cars-for-hire laws. The San Francisco-based company has requested a meeting with the mayor, two weeks after it launched in Orlando with no advance notice to City Hall. The planned meeting heads off — at least for now — the city's plan to begin enforcing its taxi regulations against Uber drivers. \"Uber reached out to us, which I see as a positive thing,\" Dyer said Wednesday. \"We're an aggressively technology-centric city, and Uber is the new thing right now, with a new way of doing things.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Pittsburgh\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2014/06/17/Peduto-wants-PUC-to/stories/201406170163\" target=\"_blank\">Lyft, Uber have no plans to leave state despite enforcement\u003c/a> (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette): Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto reiterated his support for Lyft and Uber on Tuesday, even as the state scheduled hearings to decide whether to issue cease-and-desist orders against the ride-sharing companies. Mr. Peduto sent a letter to the leadership of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to express his “disappointment” with the agency's actions against the San Francisco ride-share companies. The PUC’s enforcement bureau is seeking to prevent both companies from operating in Pennsylvania. ... Although PUC chairman Robert Powelson has expressed his support for Lyft and Uber in the past, the PUC’s investigation and enforcement arm issued citations to 23 ride-share drivers in March and April, and has proposed additional daily fines of $1,000 per day against each company.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>San Antonio\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.foxsanantonio.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/ridesharing-company-offering-free-rides-amid-controversy-4589.shtml#.U6MOQo1dWSM\" target=\"_blank\">Ride-Sharing Company Offering Free Rides Amid Controversy\u003c/a> (FOX 29): The ride sharing company \"Uber\" is trying to win over fans, but the San Antonio Police Department is warning drivers to beware. Uber is teaming up with Crown Royal to offer free rides to people 21 or older Wednesday during the Spurs celebration who download the Uber app and enter the promo code: ReignOn. \"We know people are going to be out enjoying the festivities and parades, and we want people to have a safe and free ride and a designated driver,” said Will Zinsmeister with Uber San Antonio. ... However, that's not necessarily how the City of San Antonio sees it. Uber is operating in violation of the city's taxi cab ordinance, which states drivers must be licensed and regulated by the city in order for money to be exchanged for services. ... Yellow cab, along with other taxi companies, filed a lawsuit against Uber and ride-sharing company “Lyft” saying they are operating illegally in San Antonio.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Santa Barbara\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.independent.com/news/2014/jun/02/cabbies-take-uber-drivers-task/\" target=\"_blank\">Cabbies Take Uber Drivers to Task\u003c/a> (Santa Barbara Independent): Disgruntled taxi drivers gathered outside City Hall last Friday afternoon to argue companies like Uber and Lyft are violating Santa Barbara law. Congregating on the sidewalk and holding signs above their heads, several cabbies contended the drivers hailed by taxi apps get an unfair advantage because they are not bound by the same regulations that the 68 taxi companies here must adhere to. Murmurs from frustrated taxi drivers have circulated since Uber landed in town last fall — Lyft launched a couple of months ago — but Friday marked the first coordinated protest, as cab drivers claimed their revenue has since dropped by 60 percent.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Seattle\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.geekwire.com/2014/seattle-legalizes-uber-lyft-caps/\" target=\"_blank\">Seattle mayor reaches deal to legalize Uber, Lyft and Sidecar, without driver limits\u003c/a> (GeekWire): After more than one year of City Council meetings, protests and debate, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray today announced an agreement between the major industry players, the taxi industry and city officials that will let app-based transportation services such as Lyft, Sidecar and UberX keep operating without any limit on the number of drivers that can be on the street at any given time. That’s a big change from the original ordinance that was approved by the City Council in March, which set a maximum of 150 active drivers per company — a decision that left the ride-sharing companies unhappy. ... The agreement still needs to be approved by the Seattle City Council.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>St. Louis\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/blog/biznext/2014/06/lyft-still-can-t-do-business-in-st-louis-judge.html\" target=\"_blank\">Lyft still can't do business in St. Louis, judge rules\u003c/a> (St. Louis Business Journal): The temporary restraining order against Lyft in St. Louis has been extended, meaning the peer-to-peer ride sharing app won’t be able to do business until a St. Louis circuit court judge makes an official ruling at a later date. ... Lyft opened for business in St. Louis in mid-April. Just a few days later, it was handed a temporary restraining order prohibiting it from doing business in the city or county. The Metropolitan Taxicab Commission maintains Lyft should fall under its regulations. Lyft says its business model excludes it from those regulations.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Tampa\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://www.tampabay.com/news/transportation/regulatory-agency-seeks-help-in-crackdown-against-uber-lyft/2183977\" target=\"_blank\">Regulatory agency seeks help in crackdown against Uber, Lyft\u003c/a> (Tampa Bay Times): In its crackdown on the increasingly popular but unregulated Uber and Lyft ride-sharing programs, the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission agreed Wednesday to ask other law enforcement agencies for help. The two outfits have operated in Tampa for several months now, causing friction with the transportation commission and the taxi and limousine industries, which say the companies are in violation of state laws and local regulations. Uber and Lyft don't carry the proper insurance and aren't certified, they say. ... So far, PTC inspectors have fined 12 drivers and issued 44 tickets that come with fines ranging from $100 to $500.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"disqusTitle": "Once Friendly Territory, California Looks to Toughen Rules for Uber, Lyft",
"title": "Once Friendly Territory, California Looks to Toughen Rules for Uber, Lyft",
"headTitle": "News Fix | KQED News",
"content": "\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_126917\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 640px\">\u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2014/01/30/lyft-uberx-driver-safety/rs8866_uberx_3-lpr/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-126917\">\u003cimg class=\"size-medium wp-image-126917\" src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2015/01/RS8866_UberX_3-lpr-640x426.jpg\" alt=\"The California Public Utilities Commission requires Transportation Network Companies like UberX to display signage. (Jeremy Raff/KQED)\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo: Jeremy Raff/KQED) \u003ccite>(Jeremy Raff/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 4.6875em;float: left;line-height: 0.733em;padding: 0.05em 0.1em 0 0;font-family: times, serif, georgia\">I\u003c/span>n February, when Lyft was battling to stave off regulations of ride-service companies in Seattle, company CEO John Zimmer \u003ca href=\"//www.geekwire.com/2014/seattle-tech-community-ride-sharing/%E2%80%9D\">pointed to California as a shining example of a fruitful partnership between a disruptive tech industry and regulators.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“California had a yearlong rule-making process with several steps,” he said in an interview about the California Public Utilities Commission's decision last year to sanction what it calls Transportation Network Companies, or TNCs. “And they were able to come out with something that put, in many cases, more strict standards on new companies like Lyft, yet preserved innovation and consumer choice. I think that’s a fantastic model.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003caside class=\"pullquote alignleft\">Ride-service firms in a struggle with legislators and regulators over insurance and other issues.\u003c/aside>\n\u003cp>But critics of companies like Lyft and TNC behemoth Uber were not so happy with the CPUC ruling. Taxi companies and their regulators led the charge: Despite a host of requirements the commission created as the cost of TNCs doing business in California, these were nowhere near the regulatory burden that taxis had to contend with in San Francisco and other cities, they said. The biggest complaint: The state was not saddling the Lyfts and Ubers with the same stringent insurance requirements that taxi firms must meet under local regulations.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The TNC industry has portrayed these protests as the loud protectionist rumblings of an obsolete industry. But now, nine months after the commission’s decision paved the way for ride-service upstarts to purloin large chunks of cab business, the home state of the most prominent ride-service companies may be on the verge of levying significantly more rigorous insurance mandates, either through legislation, the regulatory process or both.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A stern \u003ca href=\"//www.cpuc.ca.gov/NR/rdonlyres/216C7343-8740-40C3-BF60-2B57BF37F8A5/0/LettertoLoganGreenofLyft061014.pdf%E2%80%9D\">letter that CPUC President Michael Peevey sent\u003c/a> last week to UberX, Lyft and three other TNCs serves as a sign of just how precarious things have gotten for the industry in California. The letter threatened to revoke the companies' licenses unless they prevented drivers from operating at five California airports. Not only did TNCs fail to obtain the necessary permits to serve the airports, Peevey wrote, but the vast majority of drivers flaunted CPUC regulations by not displaying required insignias on their vehicles. In addition, some drivers could not provide proof of insurance, and on two occasions at San Francisco International, operated without a valid driver’s license.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Peevey expressed his \"personal disappointment and concern about this behavior.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Uber was less than contrite: \"We have spent countless hours with airport managers and their staff to help develop requirements that are aligned with CPUC regulations and embrace the spirit of ride-sharing,\" company spokeswoman Eva Behrend said in a statement. \"The tone of the majority of these conversations has been mutually respectful and productive. It's unfortunate the CPUC is not allowing the airport process they designed to proceed by allowing ride-sharing companies to continue working with California airport authorities on their permitting process.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>(\u003cstrong>Update June 17\u003c/strong>: A representative for Uber said at a state Senate committee hearing today that it needed to do a better job of informing drivers of the insignia requirements. But she also said drivers do not like to identify themselves as working for TNCs because of harassment from taxis. We have also heard this, especially from Lyft drivers, who frequently remove the trademark mustache from their cars for the same reason.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But the airport kerfuffle could prove to be a mere skirmish compared to other regulatory battles brewing around an industry that has expanded globally with startling rapidity. On June 6, Uber announced it had raised an additional $1.2 billion in investment capital to \u003ca href=\"//dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/06/06/uber-raises-new-funds-at-17-billion-valuation/%E2%80%9D\">up its valuation to $18.2 billion\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sacramento Takes a Whack\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On Tuesday, the Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee heard two bills intended to inject a stronger dose of regulation in the world of TNCs, especially around insurance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"//legiscan.com/CA/bill/AB612/2013%E2%80%9D\">[contextly_sidebar id=\"[contextly_sidebar id=\"04961c76f5ecb41f81c0c29378870f0c\"]\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The TNCs offer drivers $1 million in commercial liability insurance, the same requirement as what San Francisco taxis must carry. But TNC coverage is \u003cem>excess insurance\u003c/em>, ostensibly triggered only at the point where the personal policies of TNC drivers, using their own vehicle, after all, stop paying. The TNCs contend that drivers' personal policies should be the insurer of first resort. But both the insurance industry and the state Department of Insurance have now taken the position that this set-up is based on a fiction, contingent on the erroneous view that drivers’ personal insurers will be happy to or at least tolerate paying claims for individuals who drive commercially for TNCs, an activity that has not been factored into the price of their policies. If it is a fiction, though, it's one that makes TNC insurance less expensive, because it assumes drivers’ own policies will pick up at least some of the liability cost for accidents.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Uber, Lyft and Sidecar, another TNC, all insist drivers’ personal insurers have paid claims for accidents occurring during a paid ride. The insurance industry says that’s because the drivers’ insurer didn’t know the accident happened on a TNC call.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The insurance industry is attempting to dismantle this two-tier TNC coverage by backing \u003ca href=\"//legiscan.com/CA/text/AB2293/id/1008847%E2%80%9D\">AB 2293\u003c/a>, sponsored by Assemblymember Susan Bonilla (D-Concord). The bill, which does not set specific coverage amounts, would require TNCs to advise drivers that their personal insurance may not provide coverage during TNC work. It would also force the companies to carry primary insurance, like taxis do, and defend drivers against lawsuits for loss or injury when providing TNC services. The bill would also extend the time that drivers are insured to when they have their apps open but have yet to accept a call, so called \"Period 1.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In a statement, Uber called the bill “a back-room deal by insurance companies and trial attorneys to prematurely force the ridesharing industry to fit their special interests. The bill allows insurance companies to escape their liability for services they’ve already charged ratepayers, and helps trial attorneys work the system to ensure they get the largest payouts possible.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>(Update June 17, 1 p.m. \u003c/strong>The energy committee forwarded AB 2293 to the Committee on Insurance. The bill does not contain specific amounts of required coverage, but that is where the debate appears to now lie. At the hearing, representatives for Lyft and Uber said they support a number of the bill's requirements: that their insurance be primary, that there be a written disclosure to drivers of TNC insurance limitations and that the period of coverage now extend from app on to app off. However, as an official analysis of the bill states, the TNCs contend that requiring $1 million in coverage for the period before a driver accepts a call would “kill their business model and service.” So the TNCs have proposed an amendment that would set a requirement of just up to $100,000 in insurance, which is what Uber and Lyft offer now for this period. Committee Chair Alex Padilla seemed to push the bill's sponsor, Susan Bonilla, to forward the bill with those requirements. But she said, \"I can’t abandon the reality that catastrophic things do happen and that $100,000 isn’t going to be enough ... What happens after that is exhausted?\" Bonilla did, however, say that she is \"committed\" to treating Period 1 with more flexibility than in the subsequent times a driver will have to covered. Interestingly enough, Kara Cross, General Counsel for the Personal Insurance Federation of California, said Uber told her in negotiations that they can't acknowledge that Period 1 is commercial activity, because that could come into play in the lawsuit against them by the family of Sofia Liu, the 6-year-old killed in San Francisco on New Year's Eve, by an UberX driver.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Update 6:34 p.m.\u003c/strong> Uber's Eva Behrend, in a response to Kara Cross's comment, said, \"That's patently false.\")\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A second bill, \u003ca href=\"//legiscan.com/CA/bill/AB612/2013%E2%80%9D\">AB 612\u003c/a>, sponsored by Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian (D-Los Angeles), is backed by the Taxicab Paratransit Association of California and would legislate requirements closer to what local taxi companies labor under: mandatory drug and alcohol testing of drivers; closer monitoring of DMV records; mandatory criminal background checks; driver fingerprinting; and the banning of anyone convicted of a number of crimes, from burglary to credit card fraud to obstructing a peace officer. The bill also stipulates TNCs must have a preventive maintenance program for driver's vehicles, and that all vehicles involved in TNC work must be registered with the CPUC, with an official decal affixed to every bumper.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A provision that would have required TNCs to cover vehicles around the clock was removed from the bill before the hearing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Uber, naturally, is not a fan, calling the proposed legislation “a flagrant attempt to stymie innovation and competition by an antiquated industry. It is an obvious play by the taxicab industry to kill competition and limit consumer choice ... “ Backers of the bill, the company said, wanted to \"make it impossible for companies like Uber to operate.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>William Rouse, the president of TPAC and general manager of Yellow Cab in L.A., said the legislation is necessary to police companies that are plain out of control. He pointed to the violations at California airports as an example.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There is not a single jurisdiction, whether inside or outside the U.S., where the TNCs actually follow the letter of the law,” he said. “This is the new world order, where these companies just routinely, habitually thumb their nose at the law in every single city where they operate.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>(Update June 17, 1 p.m. \u003c/strong>The committee voted to remove all but the drug and alcohol testing and background check provisions from AB 612. Representatives from San Francisco International Airport spoke in favor of the bill.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>CPUC Puts the Hammer Down\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>TNCs are also under the gun from the \u003ca href=\"http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PublishedDocs/Efile/G000/M094/K268/94268677.PDF\" target=\"_blank\">CPUC's proposed modification\u003c/a> of its original TNC decision. These new regulations, if approved, could significantly increase the companies' insurance costs. The modified decision is scheduled to be heard on July 10 or after.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The proposal, released last Tuesday, makes no bones about clarifying the issue of whether drivers’ personal insurance would cover claims related to TNC accidents.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“A driver’s personal automobile policy is no way required to provide coverage or the duty to defend for TNC services,” the commission wrote. Reinforcing that stipulation, the commission states TNC policies “shall provide exclusive coverage, and assume all liability and the sole duty to defend, at dollar one,” which would prohibit the TNCs' reliance on excess insurance. The proposal does say that a driver’s insurance can be used to cover TNC accidents, but only if it is “specifically written for the purpose of covering transportation network services.” And those policies do not currently exist.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Like AB 2293, the latest CPUC proposal also extends the time that drivers are insured to Period 1.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The UberX driver who struck and killed Sofia Liu in San Francisco was reportedly in this interval between calls, so was not covered by Uber's policy, a limitation not widely known at the time. Subsequently, both \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2014/03/14/uber-lyft-insurance/\" target=\"_blank\">Uber and Lyft announced they had closed this gap\u003c/a> by offering up to $100,000 in coverage for drivers in the app on-and-waiting time. However, this won’t be good enough under the CPUC’s proposal, which appears to simply extend the $1 million insurance requirement to this period.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Uber and Lyft have also added $50,000 in collision insurance, and Uber offers $50,000 in comprehensive coverage (fire, theft and such). These are all contingent, however, on drivers having bought the same coverage on their personal auto policies. The CPUC’s proposal gives TNCs no such leeway, making collision and comprehensive mandatory regardless of a driver’s having purchased it on his own. Finally, the commission also wants to require $5,000 in coverage for medical payments related to injuries resulting from an accident. Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones is \u003ca href=\"//www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2014/06/12/uber-lyft-setback-insurance-chief-backs-proposal.html?page=3%E2%80%9D\">supporting the proposed CPUC changes\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>TNC Arguments Against\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When the CPUC first floated the expansion of the mandatory $1 million coverage to include Period 1, Uber argued it could spur drivers to “(keep) the app open at all times, regardless of the drivers’ intent to accept a request for transportation service … solely to obtain the benefit from the increased insurance.” Uber also speculated that drivers not engaged in TNC work might turn on the app “immediately following an accident in order to try to secure the potentially significant financial benefit of the higher limits.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Lyft had similar objections: “(A) TNC driver could forget to close the app and be considered to be ‘providing TNC services’ in the middle of the night when the car is parked on the street and the driver is sleeping, or when the vehicle is being driven by another household member, or when it is being used to transport a driver’s child to soccer practice.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Kara Cross of the Personal Insurance Federation of California says TNCs can guard against drivers gaming the system this way by monitoring their acceptance rates, tracking who has the app on while not accepting rides.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But Stuart Nelson, the president of Point West Insurance, a property and casualty insurance broker in Sacramento, says the CPUC’s mandatory collision coverage could invite fraud. “You could damage a car personally and then say it was damaged during a drive,” he says. “I could have this pre-existing damage and then claim it happened as an Uber driver, and Uber has to cover it.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>TNCs Would Pay More\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Nelson, Kara Cross, and Jerry Sullivan, who runs an insurance brokerage business, all say TNCs will pay more for insurance if the CPUC changes go through.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\"People who write livery are prepared to write the kind of exposure these guys will have,” Sullivan said. “But it’s going to cost them 30 to 35 percent more than they are now.” He said that increase only takes into account the greater expense of extending the period of time drivers are covered — the TNCs might incur additional increases for the additional collision and comprehensive insurance. Nelson thinks requiring TNCs to offer one-size-fits-all collision coverage to every driver could be a significant extra cost, because “there’s no way to properly insure the risk. We won’t know if we’re insuring a 1974 Volkswagen Bug or a Ferrari.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The taxi industry, for its part, is still not happy with the CPUC, because the proposed changes would not go into effect immediately, but after the current TNC policies expire or one year from the effective date of the decision, whichever comes first.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Jerry Sullivan said he was in discussion with Lyft about 18 months ago to broker insurance coverage, but that the company balked when he quoted them a price for primary coverage from Lloyds of London. “They didn’t want to pay the price,” he says. “That’s not how they designed their business model.”\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_126917\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 640px\">\u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2014/01/30/lyft-uberx-driver-safety/rs8866_uberx_3-lpr/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-126917\">\u003cimg class=\"size-medium wp-image-126917\" src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2015/01/RS8866_UberX_3-lpr-640x426.jpg\" alt=\"The California Public Utilities Commission requires Transportation Network Companies like UberX to display signage. (Jeremy Raff/KQED)\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo: Jeremy Raff/KQED) \u003ccite>(Jeremy Raff/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 4.6875em;float: left;line-height: 0.733em;padding: 0.05em 0.1em 0 0;font-family: times, serif, georgia\">I\u003c/span>n February, when Lyft was battling to stave off regulations of ride-service companies in Seattle, company CEO John Zimmer \u003ca href=\"//www.geekwire.com/2014/seattle-tech-community-ride-sharing/%E2%80%9D\">pointed to California as a shining example of a fruitful partnership between a disruptive tech industry and regulators.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“California had a yearlong rule-making process with several steps,” he said in an interview about the California Public Utilities Commission's decision last year to sanction what it calls Transportation Network Companies, or TNCs. “And they were able to come out with something that put, in many cases, more strict standards on new companies like Lyft, yet preserved innovation and consumer choice. I think that’s a fantastic model.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003caside class=\"pullquote alignleft\">Ride-service firms in a struggle with legislators and regulators over insurance and other issues.\u003c/aside>\n\u003cp>But critics of companies like Lyft and TNC behemoth Uber were not so happy with the CPUC ruling. Taxi companies and their regulators led the charge: Despite a host of requirements the commission created as the cost of TNCs doing business in California, these were nowhere near the regulatory burden that taxis had to contend with in San Francisco and other cities, they said. The biggest complaint: The state was not saddling the Lyfts and Ubers with the same stringent insurance requirements that taxi firms must meet under local regulations.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The TNC industry has portrayed these protests as the loud protectionist rumblings of an obsolete industry. But now, nine months after the commission’s decision paved the way for ride-service upstarts to purloin large chunks of cab business, the home state of the most prominent ride-service companies may be on the verge of levying significantly more rigorous insurance mandates, either through legislation, the regulatory process or both.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A stern \u003ca href=\"//www.cpuc.ca.gov/NR/rdonlyres/216C7343-8740-40C3-BF60-2B57BF37F8A5/0/LettertoLoganGreenofLyft061014.pdf%E2%80%9D\">letter that CPUC President Michael Peevey sent\u003c/a> last week to UberX, Lyft and three other TNCs serves as a sign of just how precarious things have gotten for the industry in California. The letter threatened to revoke the companies' licenses unless they prevented drivers from operating at five California airports. Not only did TNCs fail to obtain the necessary permits to serve the airports, Peevey wrote, but the vast majority of drivers flaunted CPUC regulations by not displaying required insignias on their vehicles. In addition, some drivers could not provide proof of insurance, and on two occasions at San Francisco International, operated without a valid driver’s license.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Peevey expressed his \"personal disappointment and concern about this behavior.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Uber was less than contrite: \"We have spent countless hours with airport managers and their staff to help develop requirements that are aligned with CPUC regulations and embrace the spirit of ride-sharing,\" company spokeswoman Eva Behrend said in a statement. \"The tone of the majority of these conversations has been mutually respectful and productive. It's unfortunate the CPUC is not allowing the airport process they designed to proceed by allowing ride-sharing companies to continue working with California airport authorities on their permitting process.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>(\u003cstrong>Update June 17\u003c/strong>: A representative for Uber said at a state Senate committee hearing today that it needed to do a better job of informing drivers of the insignia requirements. But she also said drivers do not like to identify themselves as working for TNCs because of harassment from taxis. We have also heard this, especially from Lyft drivers, who frequently remove the trademark mustache from their cars for the same reason.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But the airport kerfuffle could prove to be a mere skirmish compared to other regulatory battles brewing around an industry that has expanded globally with startling rapidity. On June 6, Uber announced it had raised an additional $1.2 billion in investment capital to \u003ca href=\"//dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/06/06/uber-raises-new-funds-at-17-billion-valuation/%E2%80%9D\">up its valuation to $18.2 billion\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sacramento Takes a Whack\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On Tuesday, the Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee heard two bills intended to inject a stronger dose of regulation in the world of TNCs, especially around insurance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"//legiscan.com/CA/bill/AB612/2013%E2%80%9D\">\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The TNCs offer drivers $1 million in commercial liability insurance, the same requirement as what San Francisco taxis must carry. But TNC coverage is \u003cem>excess insurance\u003c/em>, ostensibly triggered only at the point where the personal policies of TNC drivers, using their own vehicle, after all, stop paying. The TNCs contend that drivers' personal policies should be the insurer of first resort. But both the insurance industry and the state Department of Insurance have now taken the position that this set-up is based on a fiction, contingent on the erroneous view that drivers’ personal insurers will be happy to or at least tolerate paying claims for individuals who drive commercially for TNCs, an activity that has not been factored into the price of their policies. If it is a fiction, though, it's one that makes TNC insurance less expensive, because it assumes drivers’ own policies will pick up at least some of the liability cost for accidents.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Uber, Lyft and Sidecar, another TNC, all insist drivers’ personal insurers have paid claims for accidents occurring during a paid ride. The insurance industry says that’s because the drivers’ insurer didn’t know the accident happened on a TNC call.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The insurance industry is attempting to dismantle this two-tier TNC coverage by backing \u003ca href=\"//legiscan.com/CA/text/AB2293/id/1008847%E2%80%9D\">AB 2293\u003c/a>, sponsored by Assemblymember Susan Bonilla (D-Concord). The bill, which does not set specific coverage amounts, would require TNCs to advise drivers that their personal insurance may not provide coverage during TNC work. It would also force the companies to carry primary insurance, like taxis do, and defend drivers against lawsuits for loss or injury when providing TNC services. The bill would also extend the time that drivers are insured to when they have their apps open but have yet to accept a call, so called \"Period 1.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In a statement, Uber called the bill “a back-room deal by insurance companies and trial attorneys to prematurely force the ridesharing industry to fit their special interests. The bill allows insurance companies to escape their liability for services they’ve already charged ratepayers, and helps trial attorneys work the system to ensure they get the largest payouts possible.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>(Update June 17, 1 p.m. \u003c/strong>The energy committee forwarded AB 2293 to the Committee on Insurance. The bill does not contain specific amounts of required coverage, but that is where the debate appears to now lie. At the hearing, representatives for Lyft and Uber said they support a number of the bill's requirements: that their insurance be primary, that there be a written disclosure to drivers of TNC insurance limitations and that the period of coverage now extend from app on to app off. However, as an official analysis of the bill states, the TNCs contend that requiring $1 million in coverage for the period before a driver accepts a call would “kill their business model and service.” So the TNCs have proposed an amendment that would set a requirement of just up to $100,000 in insurance, which is what Uber and Lyft offer now for this period. Committee Chair Alex Padilla seemed to push the bill's sponsor, Susan Bonilla, to forward the bill with those requirements. But she said, \"I can’t abandon the reality that catastrophic things do happen and that $100,000 isn’t going to be enough ... What happens after that is exhausted?\" Bonilla did, however, say that she is \"committed\" to treating Period 1 with more flexibility than in the subsequent times a driver will have to covered. Interestingly enough, Kara Cross, General Counsel for the Personal Insurance Federation of California, said Uber told her in negotiations that they can't acknowledge that Period 1 is commercial activity, because that could come into play in the lawsuit against them by the family of Sofia Liu, the 6-year-old killed in San Francisco on New Year's Eve, by an UberX driver.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Update 6:34 p.m.\u003c/strong> Uber's Eva Behrend, in a response to Kara Cross's comment, said, \"That's patently false.\")\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A second bill, \u003ca href=\"//legiscan.com/CA/bill/AB612/2013%E2%80%9D\">AB 612\u003c/a>, sponsored by Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian (D-Los Angeles), is backed by the Taxicab Paratransit Association of California and would legislate requirements closer to what local taxi companies labor under: mandatory drug and alcohol testing of drivers; closer monitoring of DMV records; mandatory criminal background checks; driver fingerprinting; and the banning of anyone convicted of a number of crimes, from burglary to credit card fraud to obstructing a peace officer. The bill also stipulates TNCs must have a preventive maintenance program for driver's vehicles, and that all vehicles involved in TNC work must be registered with the CPUC, with an official decal affixed to every bumper.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A provision that would have required TNCs to cover vehicles around the clock was removed from the bill before the hearing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Uber, naturally, is not a fan, calling the proposed legislation “a flagrant attempt to stymie innovation and competition by an antiquated industry. It is an obvious play by the taxicab industry to kill competition and limit consumer choice ... “ Backers of the bill, the company said, wanted to \"make it impossible for companies like Uber to operate.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>William Rouse, the president of TPAC and general manager of Yellow Cab in L.A., said the legislation is necessary to police companies that are plain out of control. He pointed to the violations at California airports as an example.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There is not a single jurisdiction, whether inside or outside the U.S., where the TNCs actually follow the letter of the law,” he said. “This is the new world order, where these companies just routinely, habitually thumb their nose at the law in every single city where they operate.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>(Update June 17, 1 p.m. \u003c/strong>The committee voted to remove all but the drug and alcohol testing and background check provisions from AB 612. Representatives from San Francisco International Airport spoke in favor of the bill.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>CPUC Puts the Hammer Down\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>TNCs are also under the gun from the \u003ca href=\"http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PublishedDocs/Efile/G000/M094/K268/94268677.PDF\" target=\"_blank\">CPUC's proposed modification\u003c/a> of its original TNC decision. These new regulations, if approved, could significantly increase the companies' insurance costs. The modified decision is scheduled to be heard on July 10 or after.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The proposal, released last Tuesday, makes no bones about clarifying the issue of whether drivers’ personal insurance would cover claims related to TNC accidents.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“A driver’s personal automobile policy is no way required to provide coverage or the duty to defend for TNC services,” the commission wrote. Reinforcing that stipulation, the commission states TNC policies “shall provide exclusive coverage, and assume all liability and the sole duty to defend, at dollar one,” which would prohibit the TNCs' reliance on excess insurance. The proposal does say that a driver’s insurance can be used to cover TNC accidents, but only if it is “specifically written for the purpose of covering transportation network services.” And those policies do not currently exist.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Like AB 2293, the latest CPUC proposal also extends the time that drivers are insured to Period 1.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The UberX driver who struck and killed Sofia Liu in San Francisco was reportedly in this interval between calls, so was not covered by Uber's policy, a limitation not widely known at the time. Subsequently, both \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2014/03/14/uber-lyft-insurance/\" target=\"_blank\">Uber and Lyft announced they had closed this gap\u003c/a> by offering up to $100,000 in coverage for drivers in the app on-and-waiting time. However, this won’t be good enough under the CPUC’s proposal, which appears to simply extend the $1 million insurance requirement to this period.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Uber and Lyft have also added $50,000 in collision insurance, and Uber offers $50,000 in comprehensive coverage (fire, theft and such). These are all contingent, however, on drivers having bought the same coverage on their personal auto policies. The CPUC’s proposal gives TNCs no such leeway, making collision and comprehensive mandatory regardless of a driver’s having purchased it on his own. Finally, the commission also wants to require $5,000 in coverage for medical payments related to injuries resulting from an accident. Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones is \u003ca href=\"//www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2014/06/12/uber-lyft-setback-insurance-chief-backs-proposal.html?page=3%E2%80%9D\">supporting the proposed CPUC changes\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>TNC Arguments Against\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When the CPUC first floated the expansion of the mandatory $1 million coverage to include Period 1, Uber argued it could spur drivers to “(keep) the app open at all times, regardless of the drivers’ intent to accept a request for transportation service … solely to obtain the benefit from the increased insurance.” Uber also speculated that drivers not engaged in TNC work might turn on the app “immediately following an accident in order to try to secure the potentially significant financial benefit of the higher limits.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Lyft had similar objections: “(A) TNC driver could forget to close the app and be considered to be ‘providing TNC services’ in the middle of the night when the car is parked on the street and the driver is sleeping, or when the vehicle is being driven by another household member, or when it is being used to transport a driver’s child to soccer practice.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Kara Cross of the Personal Insurance Federation of California says TNCs can guard against drivers gaming the system this way by monitoring their acceptance rates, tracking who has the app on while not accepting rides.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But Stuart Nelson, the president of Point West Insurance, a property and casualty insurance broker in Sacramento, says the CPUC’s mandatory collision coverage could invite fraud. “You could damage a car personally and then say it was damaged during a drive,” he says. “I could have this pre-existing damage and then claim it happened as an Uber driver, and Uber has to cover it.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>TNCs Would Pay More\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Nelson, Kara Cross, and Jerry Sullivan, who runs an insurance brokerage business, all say TNCs will pay more for insurance if the CPUC changes go through.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\"People who write livery are prepared to write the kind of exposure these guys will have,” Sullivan said. “But it’s going to cost them 30 to 35 percent more than they are now.” He said that increase only takes into account the greater expense of extending the period of time drivers are covered — the TNCs might incur additional increases for the additional collision and comprehensive insurance. Nelson thinks requiring TNCs to offer one-size-fits-all collision coverage to every driver could be a significant extra cost, because “there’s no way to properly insure the risk. We won’t know if we’re insuring a 1974 Volkswagen Bug or a Ferrari.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The taxi industry, for its part, is still not happy with the CPUC, because the proposed changes would not go into effect immediately, but after the current TNC policies expire or one year from the effective date of the decision, whichever comes first.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Jerry Sullivan said he was in discussion with Lyft about 18 months ago to broker insurance coverage, but that the company balked when he quoted them a price for primary coverage from Lloyds of London. “They didn’t want to pay the price,” he says. “That’s not how they designed their business model.”\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"title": "Insurance Rules for Ride Services Like Lyft and UberX May Get Tougher",
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"content": "\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_117417\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 640px\">\u003cimg class=\"size-full wp-image-117417\" src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/10/5996_transform.jpg\" alt=\"A protester mocks ride service Lyft and its signature pink mustaches atcab driver rally outside San Francisco City Hall in 2013. (Alex Emslie/KQED)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A protester mocks ride service Lyft and its signature pink mustache at cab driver rally outside San Francisco City Hall in 2013. (Alex Emslie/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>In the past two weeks a lot has happened on the increasingly volatile ride-service front. The California Public Utilities Commission will revisit the issue of insurance coverage for drivers who use their cars to carry paying passengers through companies like Lyft and UberX. As a result, these two firms are opposing the changes the CPUC is proposing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On April 10, the CPUC granted a rehearing on the insurance requirements it issued last year. At that time, as part of a decision that laid out rules and regulations for what the commission formally calls transportation network companies, or TNCs, the CPUC required the companies to provide at least $1 million in commercial liability insurance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Now the CPUC is considering extending the time period during a driver's shift for which TNC coverage must be valid. A significant gap in this regard came to light on New Year's Eve, after a fatal accident involving an UberX driver in San Francisco. Although the driver's Uber app was open as he waited for another call to come in, Uber said he was excluded from its $1 million policy because he was not carrying a passenger or on the way to pick one up. That left the driver and the victim's family reliant on his much more minimal personal policy, which almost surely won't come near to paying the eventual liability costs. (The family has filed a lawsuit against the driver and Uber.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The CPUC is proposing that this gap be explicitly closed, by adding language that changes the definition of when a driver using his personal vehicle is \"providing TNC services\" to include \"when the TNC app is open and available to accept rides from a subscribing TNC passenger until that app has been closed.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The CPUC hopes to issue specifics about the rehearing in the next few weeks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Both Lyft and Uber have filed comments opposing the change. Uber wrote, \"Adoption of this modification would result in a significant expansion of the period in which the TNC insurance requirements would be required.\" More specifically, Uber is objecting to the extension of the $1 million liability insurance requirement to this expanded time period. Last month, Uber said it had \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2014/03/14/uber-lyft-insurance/\" target=\"_blank\">expanded its insurance\u003c/a> to include a new policy that partially closes this gap, providing coverage for drivers logged onto its app but not currently on a call. However, the new policy's liability limit for drivers in that situation is only $50,000, a fraction of the $1 million the CPUC is now considering. Lyft \u003ca href=\"http://blog.lyft.com/posts/2014/4/11/lyft-insurance-overview\" target=\"_blank\">announced\u003c/a> on April 11 that it had added similar coverage.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Uber wrote to the CPUC that requiring its insurance to cover the expanded period would be problematic, citing a scenario in which drivers have \"contracted with multiple TNCs and keeps all applications open at all times, in order to maximize the likelihood of procuring a (request).\" The company also wrote that the change might incentivize drivers to \"(keep) the App open at all times, regardless of the drivers' intent to accept a request for transportation service...solely to obtain the benefit from the increased insurance....\" Uber also speculated that drivers not engaged in TNC work might turn on the app \"immediately following an accident in order to try to secure the potentially significant financial benefit of the higher limits....\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Lyft has similar objections: \"(A) TNC driver could forget to close the app and be considered to be 'providing TNC services' in the middle of the night when the car is parked on the street and the driver is sleeping, or when the vehicle is being driven by another household member, or when it is being used to transport a driver's child to soccer practice.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In addition, the CPUC proposal would require TNCs to add the following coverages:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Provide $1 million per-incident coverage in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, if there's an accident where the driver of another vehicle is at fault and does not have the proper insurance (UberX and Lyft say they already offer this.)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Provide $50,000 in comprehensive coverage related to theft, fire, natural disasters, vandalism and similar circumstances that can cause damage to a TNC vehicle. (Uber says it offers this.)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Provide $50,000 in collision coverage, related to damage to the driver's own vehicle when the TNC driver is at fault. (Lyft and Uber say they provide this coverage currently, but only if drivers have purchased it on their personal policies.)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Provide $5,000 in medical payments coverage, related to expenses due to bodily injury of TNC drivers or their passengers\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Department of Insurance Slams TNCs\u003cbr>\n\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As we \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2013/11/14/who-pays-when-ride-share-driver-crashes\" target=\"_blank\">reported\u003c/a> last year, a number of other issues have emerged concerning TNC insurance:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Ride-service companies like Lyft and UberX say drivers’ personal insurance policies will cover some claims, while the insurance industry has repeatedly stated personal policies routinely exclude coverage when vehicles are used commercially.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>The insurance industry says ride-service drivers will have to buy commercial insurance to be covered when they’re driving for hire and maybe even when they’re not.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Many ride-service drivers are \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2014/01/20/ride-sharing-insurance-lyft-uberx-sidecar/\" target=\"_blank\">keeping their status secret from their insurance companies\u003c/a> because they’re afraid of losing coverage. There have been at least two reported instances in which drivers have been dropped by their insurance companies when the companies discovered the drivers were working for TNCs.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>\u003c/strong>In January, the California Department of Insurance issued a \u003ca href=\"http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0250-insurers/0300-insurers/0200-bulletins/bulletin-notices-commiss-opinion/TransNetwkDrvrs.cfm\">warning\u003c/a> to TNC drivers about some of these risks. Last month, the department held an investigative hearing on the issue. On April 7, California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones wrote a letter to CPUC President Michael Peevey offering\u003ca href=\"http://www.insurance.ca.gov/video/0030VideoHearings/upload/CDI-CPUC20140407.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"> recommendations for more stringent insurance requirements\u003c/a>. Jones was blunt in describing the discrepancy between what TNCs such as Lyft, Uber and Sidecar have been claiming about the validity of drivers' personal insurance in TNC accidents and what the department found is the reality:\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>TNCs are under the mistaken impression that personal automobile insurers cover now, planned to cover, or will cover the risk of TNC-related for-hire transportation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Instead, CDI finds that personal automobile insurers never planned or intended to underwrite for this risk, which did not exist, when the current policies were written. Insurers did not incorporate for-hire use when developing their rates. Adding this new TNC exposure to the personal automobile insurance \"pool\" may increase personal automobile insurance rates. The fact that some exclusions in personal automobile insurance policies may not be clear on this point should not be misinterpreted as an agreement to cover this new TNC risk.\u003c/p>\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>The department also found to be true what some drivers have told us: When prospective TNC drivers have been up-front with insurance companies about intending to use their vehicle for ride-service work, they have been unable to obtain coverage. Furthermore, the department said personal insurers do not plan on offering coverage for this type of mixed personal/commercial use of vehicles. That would leave ride-service drivers with seemingly only one option: to buy more expensive commercial insurance. But the department found even that option is not currently available to drivers:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\"Insurance companies and brokers tell CDI that Californians cannot purchase ... livery insurance on a personal vehicle.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Bill Clark, a driver for Luxor Cab in San Francisco who wanted to switch to UberX, expressed his disappointment after hitting an insurance roadblock. Clark wanted to quit the declining taxi business and experience the freedom that many drivers have told us is one of the biggest attractions of working for Lyft and UberX. But he aborted his attempt at purchasing an Uber-financed vehicle due to the lack of available insurance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I could get a brand-new Prius, drive any time I wanted to, and just make money,\" Clark said. \"That’s like a dream; too good to be true. In fact, it was too good to be true. You can’t get insurance on them.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Overall Decision Won't Be Reversed\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The TNCs won a victory of sorts when the CPUC said it will not be reversing itself on its overall decision to allow ride-service companies like Lyft and UberX to operate in the state.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The CPUC on April 10 rejected a request for a rehearing of the September 2013 ruling, which created the category of TNCs. The decision gave official state sanction to these firms that had once been hit with cease-and-desist letters.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The rehearing was requested by the Taxicab Paratransit Association of California (TPAC). Local taxi companies, of course, have been bleeding customers in towns where Lyft, UberX and other ride-service companies operate. In San Francisco, at least, cab drivers have been defecting from taxi companies in order to work for the new companies.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>TPAC made several arguments in trying to get the decision overturned:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>That the decision violated the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The CPUC responded that CEQA does not apply because the regulations the TNC regulations the commission issued have no \"direct physical impact,\" not do they create a \"reasonably foreseeable indirect change\" in the same.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>That the CPUC does not have jurisdiction over TNCs because they are, in reality, taxis, and therefore subject to local oversight.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The CPUC responded that TNCs are not cabs, because they operate strictly on a \"prearranged basis,\" as opposed to being able to pick up street hails, as taxis do.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>That the decision violated the equal protection clauses of the U.S. and California constitutions.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The CPUC said invocation of equal protection laws requires the two relevant parties to be \"similarly situated\" under the law, and that because TNCs are not cabs, this is not the case.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>That the decision violates the Public Utilities Code because it exempts individual drivers from having to obtain permits, as opposed to individual companies.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The CPUC responded that the utilities code allows for firms or corporations as well as individuals to be licensed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mandatory Drug Testing, Commercial Plates\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In addition to the insurance considerations, the CPUC granted a rehearing on the issues of mandatory drug testing and commercial license plate requirements, which are currently not mandated for TNC drivers and vehicles.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The commission wrote: \"We acknowledge that the decision does not fully address\" the code sections that address these issues, and that it would grant a limited rehearing on them.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In other ride-service news, according to the \u003ca href=\"http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/UberX-passengers-to-pay-1-safe-rides-fee-5414139.php\" target=\"_blank\">San Francisco Chronicle\u003c/a>, the receipts of UberX passengers will now include a $1 \"safe rides fee.\" Lyft has been charging a $1 \"trust and safety fee\" since December.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Chronicle reporter Carolyn Said wrote: \"San Francisco's Uber said the fee demonstrates its 'continued commitment to safety' and helps fund increased costs for background checks, motor vehicle checks, driver safety education, current and future safety features in its app, and insurance.\"\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_117417\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 640px\">\u003cimg class=\"size-full wp-image-117417\" src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/10/5996_transform.jpg\" alt=\"A protester mocks ride service Lyft and its signature pink mustaches atcab driver rally outside San Francisco City Hall in 2013. (Alex Emslie/KQED)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A protester mocks ride service Lyft and its signature pink mustache at cab driver rally outside San Francisco City Hall in 2013. (Alex Emslie/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>In the past two weeks a lot has happened on the increasingly volatile ride-service front. The California Public Utilities Commission will revisit the issue of insurance coverage for drivers who use their cars to carry paying passengers through companies like Lyft and UberX. As a result, these two firms are opposing the changes the CPUC is proposing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On April 10, the CPUC granted a rehearing on the insurance requirements it issued last year. At that time, as part of a decision that laid out rules and regulations for what the commission formally calls transportation network companies, or TNCs, the CPUC required the companies to provide at least $1 million in commercial liability insurance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Now the CPUC is considering extending the time period during a driver's shift for which TNC coverage must be valid. A significant gap in this regard came to light on New Year's Eve, after a fatal accident involving an UberX driver in San Francisco. Although the driver's Uber app was open as he waited for another call to come in, Uber said he was excluded from its $1 million policy because he was not carrying a passenger or on the way to pick one up. That left the driver and the victim's family reliant on his much more minimal personal policy, which almost surely won't come near to paying the eventual liability costs. (The family has filed a lawsuit against the driver and Uber.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The CPUC is proposing that this gap be explicitly closed, by adding language that changes the definition of when a driver using his personal vehicle is \"providing TNC services\" to include \"when the TNC app is open and available to accept rides from a subscribing TNC passenger until that app has been closed.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The CPUC hopes to issue specifics about the rehearing in the next few weeks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Both Lyft and Uber have filed comments opposing the change. Uber wrote, \"Adoption of this modification would result in a significant expansion of the period in which the TNC insurance requirements would be required.\" More specifically, Uber is objecting to the extension of the $1 million liability insurance requirement to this expanded time period. Last month, Uber said it had \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2014/03/14/uber-lyft-insurance/\" target=\"_blank\">expanded its insurance\u003c/a> to include a new policy that partially closes this gap, providing coverage for drivers logged onto its app but not currently on a call. However, the new policy's liability limit for drivers in that situation is only $50,000, a fraction of the $1 million the CPUC is now considering. Lyft \u003ca href=\"http://blog.lyft.com/posts/2014/4/11/lyft-insurance-overview\" target=\"_blank\">announced\u003c/a> on April 11 that it had added similar coverage.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Uber wrote to the CPUC that requiring its insurance to cover the expanded period would be problematic, citing a scenario in which drivers have \"contracted with multiple TNCs and keeps all applications open at all times, in order to maximize the likelihood of procuring a (request).\" The company also wrote that the change might incentivize drivers to \"(keep) the App open at all times, regardless of the drivers' intent to accept a request for transportation service...solely to obtain the benefit from the increased insurance....\" Uber also speculated that drivers not engaged in TNC work might turn on the app \"immediately following an accident in order to try to secure the potentially significant financial benefit of the higher limits....\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Lyft has similar objections: \"(A) TNC driver could forget to close the app and be considered to be 'providing TNC services' in the middle of the night when the car is parked on the street and the driver is sleeping, or when the vehicle is being driven by another household member, or when it is being used to transport a driver's child to soccer practice.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In addition, the CPUC proposal would require TNCs to add the following coverages:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Provide $1 million per-incident coverage in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, if there's an accident where the driver of another vehicle is at fault and does not have the proper insurance (UberX and Lyft say they already offer this.)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Provide $50,000 in comprehensive coverage related to theft, fire, natural disasters, vandalism and similar circumstances that can cause damage to a TNC vehicle. (Uber says it offers this.)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Provide $50,000 in collision coverage, related to damage to the driver's own vehicle when the TNC driver is at fault. (Lyft and Uber say they provide this coverage currently, but only if drivers have purchased it on their personal policies.)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Provide $5,000 in medical payments coverage, related to expenses due to bodily injury of TNC drivers or their passengers\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Department of Insurance Slams TNCs\u003cbr>\n\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As we \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2013/11/14/who-pays-when-ride-share-driver-crashes\" target=\"_blank\">reported\u003c/a> last year, a number of other issues have emerged concerning TNC insurance:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Ride-service companies like Lyft and UberX say drivers’ personal insurance policies will cover some claims, while the insurance industry has repeatedly stated personal policies routinely exclude coverage when vehicles are used commercially.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>The insurance industry says ride-service drivers will have to buy commercial insurance to be covered when they’re driving for hire and maybe even when they’re not.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Many ride-service drivers are \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2014/01/20/ride-sharing-insurance-lyft-uberx-sidecar/\" target=\"_blank\">keeping their status secret from their insurance companies\u003c/a> because they’re afraid of losing coverage. There have been at least two reported instances in which drivers have been dropped by their insurance companies when the companies discovered the drivers were working for TNCs.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>\u003c/strong>In January, the California Department of Insurance issued a \u003ca href=\"http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0250-insurers/0300-insurers/0200-bulletins/bulletin-notices-commiss-opinion/TransNetwkDrvrs.cfm\">warning\u003c/a> to TNC drivers about some of these risks. Last month, the department held an investigative hearing on the issue. On April 7, California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones wrote a letter to CPUC President Michael Peevey offering\u003ca href=\"http://www.insurance.ca.gov/video/0030VideoHearings/upload/CDI-CPUC20140407.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"> recommendations for more stringent insurance requirements\u003c/a>. Jones was blunt in describing the discrepancy between what TNCs such as Lyft, Uber and Sidecar have been claiming about the validity of drivers' personal insurance in TNC accidents and what the department found is the reality:\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>TNCs are under the mistaken impression that personal automobile insurers cover now, planned to cover, or will cover the risk of TNC-related for-hire transportation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Instead, CDI finds that personal automobile insurers never planned or intended to underwrite for this risk, which did not exist, when the current policies were written. Insurers did not incorporate for-hire use when developing their rates. Adding this new TNC exposure to the personal automobile insurance \"pool\" may increase personal automobile insurance rates. The fact that some exclusions in personal automobile insurance policies may not be clear on this point should not be misinterpreted as an agreement to cover this new TNC risk.\u003c/p>\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>The department also found to be true what some drivers have told us: When prospective TNC drivers have been up-front with insurance companies about intending to use their vehicle for ride-service work, they have been unable to obtain coverage. Furthermore, the department said personal insurers do not plan on offering coverage for this type of mixed personal/commercial use of vehicles. That would leave ride-service drivers with seemingly only one option: to buy more expensive commercial insurance. But the department found even that option is not currently available to drivers:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\"Insurance companies and brokers tell CDI that Californians cannot purchase ... livery insurance on a personal vehicle.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Bill Clark, a driver for Luxor Cab in San Francisco who wanted to switch to UberX, expressed his disappointment after hitting an insurance roadblock. Clark wanted to quit the declining taxi business and experience the freedom that many drivers have told us is one of the biggest attractions of working for Lyft and UberX. But he aborted his attempt at purchasing an Uber-financed vehicle due to the lack of available insurance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I could get a brand-new Prius, drive any time I wanted to, and just make money,\" Clark said. \"That’s like a dream; too good to be true. In fact, it was too good to be true. You can’t get insurance on them.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Overall Decision Won't Be Reversed\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The TNCs won a victory of sorts when the CPUC said it will not be reversing itself on its overall decision to allow ride-service companies like Lyft and UberX to operate in the state.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The CPUC on April 10 rejected a request for a rehearing of the September 2013 ruling, which created the category of TNCs. The decision gave official state sanction to these firms that had once been hit with cease-and-desist letters.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The rehearing was requested by the Taxicab Paratransit Association of California (TPAC). Local taxi companies, of course, have been bleeding customers in towns where Lyft, UberX and other ride-service companies operate. In San Francisco, at least, cab drivers have been defecting from taxi companies in order to work for the new companies.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>TPAC made several arguments in trying to get the decision overturned:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>That the decision violated the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The CPUC responded that CEQA does not apply because the regulations the TNC regulations the commission issued have no \"direct physical impact,\" not do they create a \"reasonably foreseeable indirect change\" in the same.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>That the CPUC does not have jurisdiction over TNCs because they are, in reality, taxis, and therefore subject to local oversight.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The CPUC responded that TNCs are not cabs, because they operate strictly on a \"prearranged basis,\" as opposed to being able to pick up street hails, as taxis do.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>That the decision violated the equal protection clauses of the U.S. and California constitutions.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The CPUC said invocation of equal protection laws requires the two relevant parties to be \"similarly situated\" under the law, and that because TNCs are not cabs, this is not the case.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>That the decision violates the Public Utilities Code because it exempts individual drivers from having to obtain permits, as opposed to individual companies.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The CPUC responded that the utilities code allows for firms or corporations as well as individuals to be licensed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mandatory Drug Testing, Commercial Plates\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In addition to the insurance considerations, the CPUC granted a rehearing on the issues of mandatory drug testing and commercial license plate requirements, which are currently not mandated for TNC drivers and vehicles.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The commission wrote: \"We acknowledge that the decision does not fully address\" the code sections that address these issues, and that it would grant a limited rehearing on them.\"\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In other ride-service news, according to the \u003ca href=\"http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/UberX-passengers-to-pay-1-safe-rides-fee-5414139.php\" target=\"_blank\">San Francisco Chronicle\u003c/a>, the receipts of UberX passengers will now include a $1 \"safe rides fee.\" Lyft has been charging a $1 \"trust and safety fee\" since December.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"info": "Our weekly podcast explores how the media 'sausage' is made, casts an incisive eye on fluctuations in the marketplace of ideas, and examines threats to the freedom of information and expression in America and abroad. For one hour a week, the show tries to lift the veil from the process of \"making media,\" especially news media, because it's through that lens that we see the world and the world sees us",
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"info": "Possible is hosted by entrepreneur Reid Hoffman and writer Aria Finger. Together in Possible, Hoffman and Finger lead enlightening discussions about building a brighter collective future. The show features interviews with visionary guests like Trevor Noah, Sam Altman and Janette Sadik-Khan. Possible paints an optimistic portrait of the world we can create through science, policy, business, art and our shared humanity. It asks: What if everything goes right for once? How can we get there? Each episode also includes a short fiction story generated by advanced AI GPT-4, serving as a thought-provoking springboard to speculate how humanity could leverage technology for good.",
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"soldout": {
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