Anthony Beale (9th) said he’s backing down on a requirement – for now – to fingerprint rideshare drivers like cab drivers.
Advertisement
Those drivers must undergo background checks, but they may not be as detailed as the ones most taxi, limo and shuttle drivers experience. “We urge the full Council to pass this revised ordinance on Wednesday”. The first is a six-month, independent commission that will study the validity of fingerprinting. While Chicago guidelines already mandate criminal background checks for drivers, the new rules would require fingerprinted background checks, physical exams, and drug tests. Uber and Lyft said they’d leave Chicago if the ordinance is passed. Companies would be fined for each day after that 12 months that they are not in compliance. Through August of 2015, Uber had provided only 14 wheelchair accessible rides.
Also pleased is Uber, which issued a statement thanking lawmakers “for passing statewide regulations that create a more permanent home for ridesharing in the Ocean State”. “The modified proposal is unacceptable”, said Marca Bristo, President & CEO of Access Living. His administration, according to the Chicago Tribune, was negotiating with Alderman Beale on a less rigid compromise but negotiations broke down.
That’s because ride-hailing companies, including the two mentioned above, might catch a break at this week’s City Council meeting vote after an alderman backed off several tougher proposed regulations of the industry, including the biggest sticking point in negotiations over the proposal.
“This proposal… is ludicrous”, Arena said.
Both firms have said the fingerprint requirements are too much of a burden on both drivers (who’d have a harder time getting started) and passengers (who’d have to be picky about where they hail rides).
Arena said he plans to try a parliamentary move to block a vote on the new ordinance so his colleagues can vote on the old one that includes fingerprinting.
Advertisement
The apps of a few startups became overwhelmed the first few days after Uber and Lyft left, drivers said, and the Austin mayor’s office reported being flooded with angry letters from Uber and Lyft customers wanting their services back. On Monday, a mayoral spokesperson said a compromise was reached to ensure that Lyft and Uber are here to stay.
