Stories
Slash Boxes
Comments

SoylentNews is people

Massachusetts to Tax Ride-Hailing Apps, Give the Money to Taxis

posted by janrinok on Monday August 22 2016, @04:53PM   Printer-friendly
from the taking-a-cut dept.

Arthur T Knackerbracket has found the following story:

Republican Governor Charlie Baker signed the nickel fee into law this month as part of a sweeping package of regulations for the industry.

Ride services are not enthusiastic about the fee. "I don't think we should be in the business of subsidizing potential competitors," said Kirill Evdakov, the chief executive of Fasten, a ride service that launched in Boston last year and also operates in Austin, Texas.

Some taxi owners wanted the law to go further, perhaps banning the start-up competitors unless they meet the requirements taxis do, such as regular vehicle inspection by the police.

"They've been breaking the laws that are on the books, that we've been following for many years," said Larry Meister, manager of the Boston area's Independent Taxi Operator's Association.

The law levies a 20-cent fee in all, with 5 cents for taxis, 10 cents going to cities and towns and the final 5 cents designated for a state transportation fund.

The fee may raise millions of dollars a year because Lyft and Uber alone have a combined 2.5 million rides per month in Massachusetts.

Original Submission

 
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.
Massachusetts to Tax Ride-Hailing Apps, Give the Money to Taxis | Log In/Create an Account | Top | 54 comments | Search Discussion
Display Options Threshold/Breakthrough Mark All as Read Mark All as Unread
The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way.

  • (Score: 2) by DannyB on Monday August 22 2016, @05:26PM

    by DannyB (5839) Subscriber Badge on Monday August 22 2016, @05:26PM (#391738) Journal

    Convenience? Like a Windows 10 upgrade?

    Would you like to upgrade to Windows 10?
    To install simply click Yes, No, Cancel, or the X symbol in the title bar.
    Or for your CONVENIENCE, simply press Ctrl-Alt-Del right now to have Windows 10 conveniently installed on the next reboot.

    New business model . . .

    Windows 10 has been installed on this computer !
    To have this computer restored to a usable state,
    please send 3 Bitcoin to Microsoft.

    --
    What doesn't kill me makes me weaker for next time.
    Starting Score:    1  point
    Karma-Bonus Modifier   +1  
    Total Score:   2  

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 22 2016, @06:12PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 22 2016, @06:12PM (#391766)

    Convenience? Like a Windows 10 upgrade?

    He said convenience not curse.

    • (Score: 1) by anubi on Tuesday August 23 2016, @03:37AM

      by anubi (2828) on Tuesday August 23 2016, @03:37AM (#391987) Journal

      Thought your parent was speaking English?

      He was speaking a dialect of English known as "Businesstalk".

      Warning... remember the phrase "Caveat Emptor" when you hear businesstalk being spoken.

      --
      "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]