Melissa Ross
Despite a somewhat stalled process over vehicle inspections and background checks, the man heading up the regulatory argument in Jacksonville over Uber and Lyft says progress is hopefully imminent.
I think where we’re going is a good place,” says City Councilman Matt Schellenberg. Schellenberg chairs the council’s Vehicles for Hire committee.
“We hope to get something out of committee in the next week or two,” he told WJCT.
Months of back-and-forth between the Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft, and the taxicab companies, have as yet not brought a resolution or agreement on a basic regulatory framework for the sector that’s deemed fair to all parties.
Cab companies argue they’re at a competitive disadvantage in the market, forced to field medallions, carry higher insurance, and undergo more rigorous inspections.
Schellenberg doesn’t disagree, but is also suggesting they blow up their business model to compete with app-based digital ridesharing firms.
“A medallion is just a way for the city to get some money. There’s no reason why we do actually have this system,” he said.
“Because the world is changing. And we’ve got to try to keep up with the dynamics of this industry changing so quickly. The world is changing faster than we can get something done. Taxicab companies should all get together and get an app to compete against Uber.”
