Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 9, 2016

Jacksonville’s attempt to enact ridesharing legislation, thus far, has met with mixed success. A Vehicles for Hire subcommittee in the city council ended earlier this year, with little in the way of actual resolution. For every decision the subcommittee made — such as changing the inspection time frame for cabs from once every 120 days to […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 8, 2016

Beyond convenience and affordability, ridesharing services like Lyft and Uber have become an essential, safe alternative to drunken driving. One person who should understand this best is David Pogorilich; Uber could have prevented his DUI nearly two decades ago. An Uber ride — at only a few dollars — is certainly preferable to a DUI, […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 5, 2016

Even in the annals of unproductive Jacksonville City Council committees, the Vehicles for Hire committee held pride of place for its intoxicating blend of overheated lobbyist rhetoric, committee members who seemed to be in the tank for one side or another, and, in the end, a lack of meaningful consensus on workable regulations for Uber, Lyft, […]

Mitch PerryAugust 3, 2016

Hillsborough County Commissioner Sandy Murman said Wednesday she doesn’t want the Public Transportation Commission to raise the penalties on ridesharing drivers from $700 to $900. “I think their fines are high enough,” she told her colleagues on the county commission at the end of their regular meeting. “If the fines are being raised to control a certain […]

Mitch PerryAugust 1, 2016

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The Rules and Policy Committee of the Hillsborough Public Transportation Commission (PTC) is scheduled Tuesday to consider another attempt at establishing new regulations for TNC’s (transportation network companies) in the county, and an attorney with Uber is not pleased with what is being proposed. “The proposed regulations — which closely track regulations proposed by the taxicab industry […]

Peter SchorschJuly 19, 2016

Why does the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission have it in for the Tampa area’s residents and tourists? It’s so clear that this area wants — demands — the flexibility and convenience of modern technology as represented by ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft. Yet it’s just as clear that members of the PTC want to cling […]

Mitch PerryJuly 7, 2016

Even before they began operating in Tampa, a coterie of Tampa Bay area Republicans have championed ridesharing companies Uber and Lyft. Those state Representatives include Jeff Brandes, Jamie Grant and Dana Young. In a fundraising pitch sent to supporters in her bid for the state Senate District 18 seat this fall, Young boasts about the work Republicans […]

Mitch PerryJune 23, 2016

A court has rejected a request by a coalition of taxi cab companies to have Victor Crist removed as chair of the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission. The Second District Court of Appeal in Lakeland issued an order dismissing the request Thursday. “This was a malicious intent by the taxi coalition and their representatives to discredit me,” Crist said, […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 21, 2016

The cost of hailing an Uber in the Tampa Bay area are going up, but the ride hailing company said the rates are still lower than they were at the end of 2015. In an email Thursday, Uber said the company is raising rates by 11 percent in Tampa Bay. The move comes just a […]

Ryan RayMarch 11, 2016

A compromise between Republican lawmakers and ride-hailing firms like Uber was on thin ice Friday afternoon as Session raced to a close, until finally, the bill hit a brick wall. Sen. David Simmons, the Senate Rules Chair, had worked on the bill (SB 1118) for months. It would have mandated minimum commercial insurance requirements for drivers with Uber and […]

Tag: ridesharing
South Ocean Boulevard is staying closed for the time being.

Jacksonville gears up for another attempt at ridesharing legislation

If there is one member of the PTC who should support Uber, it’s David Pogorilich

Final Jax ‘vehicles for hire’ committee report says taxis are over-regulated

Sandy Murman doesn’t want Hillsborough PTC to raise penalties on ridesharing drivers

Uber strongly opposes latest round of proposed changes on ridesharing in Hillsborough County

How long will the Hillsborough PTC continue to stand in the way of innovation?

Email insights: Dana Young touts her support of Uber and Lyft in fundraising pitch

Court rejects taxi companies request to remove Victor Crist from Hillsborough PTC

Uber raising fares 11% in Tampa Bay

Uber legislation finally flames out