Stories
Slash Boxes
Comments

SoylentNews is people

posted by n1 on Monday July 06 2015, @08:10PM   Printer-friendly
from the next-stop-is-the-east-side-motel dept.

Mexico City is proposing regulations that would allow Uber and other smartphone-based ride-sharing apps to operate, while requiring drivers and cars to be registered, the city's Office of Legal and Legislative Studies said Friday.

The proposed regulation also calls for such companies to pay into a fund for transportation infrastructure. The city would create an app for licensed taxis and help pay for their GPS technology.

[...] The Organized Taxi Drivers of Mexico City have pushed the city to regulate or ban Uber, saying it's unfair that its drivers avoid costly licensing and inspections that taxis must undergo to operate. On Friday, spokesman Daniel Medina emphasized that the proposal is still under construction and the organization continues to meet with city officials, including on Friday.

Uber, meanwhile, said it is not against regulation. "Regulation that allows us to continue to provide service that is quality, safe and efficient," said Luis de Uriarte, Uber spokesman for Mexico and Central America. "We don't want them putting up any obstacles."


Original Submission

 
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.
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: 3, Interesting) by GungnirSniper on Monday July 06 2015, @08:58PM

    by GungnirSniper (1671) on Monday July 06 2015, @08:58PM (#205837) Journal

    The Organized Taxi Drivers of Mexico City have pushed the city to regulate or ban Uber, saying it's unfair that its drivers avoid costly licensing and inspections that taxis must undergo to operate.

    Funny how they don't speak against the barriers to entry that protect them, but rather want even more regulations against a competitor. Taxis have very little upside in the expanding transportation market, other than their volume presence.

    Starting Score:    1  point
    Moderation   +1  
       Interesting=1, Total=1
    Extra 'Interesting' Modifier   0  
    Karma-Bonus Modifier   +1  

    Total Score:   3  
  • (Score: 2) by bob_super on Monday July 06 2015, @09:54PM

    by bob_super (1357) on Monday July 06 2015, @09:54PM (#205855)

    The only safe way to reduce upfront regulation on cabs is to force them to carry a centrally-monitored GPS tracker and camera which get activated when they get hailed, and deactivated a few minutes after they get paid.
    That would prevent them and their customers from having worries about safety, long detours, and crazy driving, reducing the need to qualify/insure/regulate.

    Every cab regulation is the result of a prior problem. And because of the high barrier to entry, they are guaranteed income via scarcity, and have less incentives to resort to anticompetitive actions.

    You Do Not want cabs fighting to be first when you raise your hand.

  • (Score: 2) by aristarchus on Monday July 06 2015, @10:04PM

    by aristarchus (2645) on Monday July 06 2015, @10:04PM (#205859) Journal

    Funny how they don't speak against the barriers to entry that protect them, but rather want even more regulations against a competitor.

    No, not funny at all. And hardly surprising. But just because there is a personal interest involved does not mean that the same barriers do not also provide for public safety and consumer protection.

    • (Score: 2) by frojack on Monday July 06 2015, @10:35PM

      by frojack (1554) on Monday July 06 2015, @10:35PM (#205874) Journal

      Its actually amazing how little driver-crime occurs in cabs, (as opposed to crimes against drivers.)
      Seems the biggest risk is never seeing your phone again if you forget it in the cab.
      It either isn't a problem or it is effectively hushed up.

      Pretty sure Uber drivers get as much screening as the guy from Pakistan driving cab in Seattle who didn't know where the Ferry terminal was.

      --
      No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.