But that fight is now in the past and possibly in the future. At the moment we're both lined up against the same adversary - illegal app mongers out to destroy the taxi business.
That's right! Contrary to urban myth, the SFMTA is as strongly against the illegal encroachments of Uber, Lyft and Sidecar as anybody.
The government officials actually responsible for keeping attack dogs off the techie, snake-oil, sales-persons are the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), Mayor Ed Lee and pro-corporate, anti-environment Supervisor Scott Weiner.
The government officials actually responsible for keeping attack dogs off the techie, snake-oil, sales-persons are the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), Mayor Ed Lee and pro-corporate, anti-environment Supervisor Scott Weiner.
The SFMTA has actually gone beyond mere opposition to help organize and lead the fight. Director Christiane Hayashi, for example, has been instrumental in showing Barry Korengold of the San Francisco Cab Drivers Association and myself how to jump thorough the CPUC's hoops so that we could become part of their rulemaking process.
The below comments were put together by the Taxi Services staff with the final version being written by City Attorney Mariam Morely. The paper was okayed and signed by Director of Transportation Edward D. Reiskin.
It's an excellent, well-thought out and thorough presentation that I thought I'd share with you.
It's an excellent, well-thought out and thorough presentation that I thought I'd share with you.
I. Introduction
As the SFMTA stated in its Initial Comments, the use of electronic hailing applications to deliver transportation for hire services does not change the underlying nature of the services. Electronic hailing can and is being widely used to support delivery of both state-regulated charter-party service and locally-regulated taxi service. It is also being used to support completely unregulated service. With or without electronic hailing, transportation for hire services like those offered by Uber, Lyft and Sidecar must be regulated to protect the public health and safety and to meet many other critical public policy goals served by local taxi regulation.
Services like Uber, Lyft and SideCar meet the statutory definition of charter-party service; however, as we review the record, we note that electronic hailing applications have effectively dissolved the previously coherent regulatory distinction between charter-party service and taxi service. While meeting the statutory definition of charter-party service, Uber, Lyft and Sidecar offer services that can equally be characterized as taxi service. The solution to this regulatory problem is not double regulation; nor can it be the solution suggested by the CPUC's recent interim settlements with Uber and Zimride -- a weakened halfway form of charter-party regulation. Existing California law provides two distinct frameworks for regulating transportation for hire. The regulatory problem triggered by electronic hailing will not be solved by "charter-party lite" or "local taxi lite" regulation. Because transportation for hire services are critical to maintaining environmentally sustainable and economically vibrant urban areas, we urge the CPUC to work closely with local taxi regulators to develop a regulatory scheme that that ensures the availability of safe, reliable, affordable, environmentally-sustainable and nondiscriminatory transportation options for all segments of the market.
The transportation for hire market in California cities can sustain two classes of service -- both of which can be supported and improved by the magnificent opportunity reflected in electronic hailing innovations. As public servants, we must deliver a solution to the regulatory problem we face that does not abandon the critical goals that have historically been served by regulation of transportation for hire. Our solution must ensure that unregulated services do not drive regulated providers out of business and, in so doing, undermine our state and local goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and ensuring access to safe and reliable transportation for all California residents -- including seniors and people with disabilities. While born of innovation and opportunity, this challenge is formidable. We can meet it effectively only by working together.
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