[nagdu] UberX pushes for approval for ride-sharing bill

[Ginger Kutsch]

UberX pushes for approval for ride-sharing bill 

abc27 WHTM

Posted: Oct 07, 2014 6:12 PM EDT 

By Dave Marcheskie

 

 

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) - Ride-sharing services like UberX and Lyft are
pushing Pennsylvania lawmakers to legalize the new method of transportation
before the fall session expires.

 

Hailing a cab in Pennsylvania has whistled its way to the state Capitol.
Dressed in fluorescent T-shirts, UberX supporters held a rally inside the
Rotunda. They demonstrated support by stacking boxes.

 

"This might take a moment," Philadelphia uberX manager Jon Feldman said. "A
lot of people means a lot of paper."

 

About 30 empty boxes labeled "1,000 Petitions" were stacked in front of the
Rotunda podium to represent the more than 33,000 signatures UberX has
received.

 

The San Francisco-based mobile app company is fighting to expand in
Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh is the only Pennsylvania city currently using the
services, and on an experimental basis.

 

Taxi companies argue that unlike them, UberX drivers do not have government
oversight. Peter Shelly of the Pennsylvania Taxi Association warned swiping
your phone screen for a ride could swipe your safety.

 

"Uber, Lyft app is no more than glorified hitchhiking," Shelly said. "You
have no idea who's driving that car. You have no idea about the insurance
you may or may not have in the car."

 

In January, a young girl in California was killed in a crash with an
uninsured UberX driver behind the wheel. Since then, Feldman said the
company has implemented a strict policy change.

 

"All drivers are fully insured by up to $1 million in our policy from the
moment the trip is accepted by the driver until the moment the rider is
dropped off and safely exits the vehicle," he said.

 

Feldman said the legislation asks for "common sense regulations" which he
determined was oversight from Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission, an
agency that provides oversight to cap services statewide.

 

Feldman said UberX has implemented policies that make becoming a driver more
strict than state standards.

 

"We are very proud of our industry leading background checks, which are
county, multi-state and federal going back seven years, which is the maximum
allowable by law and are far more thorough than those required in the state
for any taxi or limousine," he said.

 

Ride-sharing services like UberX, Lyft and Gett claim their independent
drivers offer more transportation quicker and cheaper than traditional
public transportation and taxi services.

 

The company also promoted that access to ridesharing drivers help decrease
drunk driving and promote safety overall. Several UberX supporters read
testimonials and even touted helping the blind.

 

Because Tuesday was Disabilities Awareness Day, several vendors were set up
inside the Rotunda during the rally. Peter Smith, a volunteer with
Susquehanna Service Dogs, is concerned about recent reports that UberX
drivers refuse service dogs in their cars.

 

Last month, the National Federation for the Blind filed a federal
discrimination lawsuit against Uber after several drivers were accused of
refusing rides to blind and their services dogs. 

 

One driver is accused of stuffing a service dog in the trunk before offering
the person a ride.

 

The group claims Uber violated the American Disabilities Act, which allows
those with disabilities and their guide animals to go the same places like
anyone else.

 

Uber has not publicly commented on the lawsuit.

 

"I think that if they're going to try and set up in Pennsylvania, there
[must be] specific legislation," Smith said. "I would really like to see it
spelled out to [Uber] right in that legislation. They have to accommodate
all people with disabilities, including service and guide dogs."

 

The bill has not been introduced on the House floor.

 

 

 

Source:
http://www.abc27.com/story/26729365/uberx-pushes-for-approval-for-ride-shari
ng-bill