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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
(Score: 2) by vux984 on Monday July 06 2015, @10:29PM
The problem comes from the fact that the cab driver is always on the phone.
Yeah, that's changing fast. (emphasis mine)
"Handheld cell phone use and texting is prohibited for all New York drivers. All cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) is prohibited for New York City taxi drivers and for novice drivers.
And similar rules are taking effect all over the place.
So the only way to add digital dispatch is to provide a second car-mounted smart device.
Which is what is happening; and given they already have gps, credit card payment, fare tracking, and fleet tracking systems installed, this is pretty much a no-brainer to add. It's going to happen.