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Uber leaves Kansas after lawmakers demand background checks and more insurance

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Re: Uber leaves Kansas after lawmakers demand background checks and more insurance

#11

Post by prostoalex »

meritt wrote: post #3

Does anyone have details on the associated costs involved for Uber and/or the drivers? I can't imagine background checks being very excessive for the drivers, so maybe it's grossly expensive and miscategorized insurance? Uber + Lyft just relaunched here in Portland. Drivers are required to have valid business licenses and pass a background check too. Everyone is very happy with the changes. (except our local taxi com…

Same in many European cities, where even UberX drivers have to have a "private driver" license.

The requirements involve documented regular maintenance and insurance coverage that would include passengers, not sure what's the business logic behind opposing them.

Re: Uber leaves Kansas after lawmakers demand background checks and more insurance

#12

Post by cantankerous »

meritt wrote: post #3

Does anyone have details on the associated costs involved for Uber and/or the drivers? I can't imagine background checks being very excessive for the drivers, so maybe it's grossly expensive and miscategorized insurance? Uber + Lyft just relaunched here in Portland. Drivers are required to have valid business licenses and pass a background check too. Everyone is very happy with the changes. (except our local taxi com…

Glad to hear they could reach a deal in Portland. The terms your describing is, I think, essentially the terms KC is asking for now. Uber is holding out that the Missouri legislature will override the city ordinance with regards to ride sharing. A likely proposition as Missouri's legislators are so readily influenced by those with money and love overriding home rule in the major cities.

Re: Uber leaves Kansas after lawmakers demand background checks and more insurance

#13

Post by raldi »

stegosaurus wrote: post #8

All of this nonsense about insurance and checks and blah makes me weep for humanity. If I can hitch hike legally, why can't I pay for the same service? Basically it seems to me that regulation has the effect of forcing lifestyles upon people. You can't just sell people things, you have to be a Thing Seller and devote yourself to that regulatory environment and then you can sell some of the people some of the things.…

When you hitchhike, the driver's insurance is in effect. And when you get out of the car, it's still in effect.

With Uber, as soon as you get out of the car, it's possible that the driver suddenly has no insurance in effect, until the next passenger gets in.

Re: Uber leaves Kansas after lawmakers demand background checks and more insurance

#15

Post by discardorama »

If my recent experience is anything, Uber needs some serious regulation.

I live in SF, and was flying out of OAK. I had used Uber only once before, a long time ago; but this time, I suggested to the wife that we use Uber again. We had to leave SF at 7:15AM - 7:30AM or so.

Around 7:15 I pulled up the app, and saw that there were several cars around (as they usually are). I requested an UberX; punched in the destination. A driver quickly accepted, and Uber said he'd be there in But here's the thing: a licensed cab cannot refuse to take you to your destination! Uber seems to be set up to take advantage of riders with their "surge pricing" scam.

This experience left a bitter taste in my mouth, and I made sure I installed Lyft for the ride back.

Re: Uber leaves Kansas after lawmakers demand background checks and more insurance

#16

Post by [deleted] »

halviti wrote: post #7
cantankerous wrote: post #2

Uber has been having similar regulatory fights in Kansas City, which recently passed ordinances that Uber claimed would make it prohibitive to do business there ( http://goo.gl/cXlhzb ). Uber made claims that "thousands of jobs" would be lost in the move, despite the fact that its competitors (Lyft, etc.) would abide by the new rules and continue to operate. It seems a little silly to talk about the jobs of your cont…

I hope this has a big impact on Uber even outside of Kansas. I think any customer would prefer background checks for drivers. Being defiant against them is just bad PR. Background checks cost $20, or if you go through a channeler because you want your results in a couple days, you can pay $50.. This is a tiny price to pay for the safety of thousands of passengers, not to mention it wouldn't cost them anything, as the…

[deleted]

Re: Uber leaves Kansas after lawmakers demand background checks and more insurance

#17

Post by dantheman »

mahouse wrote: post #6

How despotic! Lawmakers demanding background checks and insurance from taxi drivers! This is outrageous. Where is muh freedom? I want to be able to hire a taxi with a rapist driver! http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/transportation/article/...

Yeah, I mean it's like a background check will protect everyone: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2937996/Woman-33-rap...

Re: Uber leaves Kansas after lawmakers demand background checks and more insurance

#19

Post by ardit33 »

discardorama wrote: post #15

If my recent experience is anything, Uber needs some serious regulation. I live in SF, and was flying out of OAK. I had used Uber only once before, a long time ago; but this time, I suggested to the wife that we use Uber again. We had to leave SF at 7:15AM - 7:30AM or so. Around 7:15 I pulled up the app, and saw that there were several cars around (as they usually are). I requested an UberX; punched in the destinatio…

If you live in NYC, cabs always refuse people to go to Brooklyn/Queens/Unwanted destination, eve though it is illegal to do so. The usual excuse: I am going out of my shift, and can't go that way. (this can be legit, but often it is not).

Next time don't enter your destination address, so the driver doesn't know where you go, and once you are in the car it is much harder for them to refuse you.

Re: Uber leaves Kansas after lawmakers demand background checks and more insurance

#20

Post by chinathrow »

stegosaurus wrote: post #8

All of this nonsense about insurance and checks and blah makes me weep for humanity. If I can hitch hike legally, why can't I pay for the same service? Basically it seems to me that regulation has the effect of forcing lifestyles upon people. You can't just sell people things, you have to be a Thing Seller and devote yourself to that regulatory environment and then you can sell some of the people some of the things.…

Well, in some locations you can't hitch legally. So there's that.
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