Ridesharing is a new service made popular by companies like Lyft and Uber. It relies on smartphones to connect those who need a ride to drivers willing to provide one — a riff on the traditional taxi system. Ridesharing has allowed thousands of Michiganders earn extra income as drivers and save money and time as riders. It currently operates in a legal gray area, however, because ridesharing drivers are not cabbies or chauffeurs.
The problem is that there is no statewide regulatory system that covers ridesharing in Michigan. While companies like Uber and Lyft maintain rigorous safety and driver-eligibility standards, they must get permission from each local municipality in order to operate legally. Implementing a statewide standard, like the one outlined in House Bill 4641, would make ridesharing legal and keep it safe, as well as make it easier for more people to benefit from this innovative service.
JOHN secretly always wanted to drive a cab, but he ended up with a law degree instead. Now that he’s moving toward retirement, he decided to revisit an old dream. He loves driving around MSU, where he says there is a different kind of demand for ridesharing.
REBECCA began driving for Uber to provide some income stability while she followed her passion for antiquing. She recently opened her own store. She thinks it’s important for people to know how safe ridesharing is, and how it increases safety in cities by providing an easy alternative to driving drunk.
BABACAR grew up in Senegal before immigrating to and earning citizenship from the United States. He supports his family by driving for Uber, and says his work for the service put him more in touch with his city.
TIM started driving for Lyft and Uber as a way to make some extra money during the holidays. Soon, it made him enough to leave his job as a restaurant manager and start his own business, Ryde Media, which sets up advertising in ridesharing vehicles.
KEVIN had fallen behind on mortgage payments when he decided to give ridesharing a try. These days, the extra income he earns working part-time for Uber has taken his family of six from nearly losing their house to remodeling their kitchen.
LARRY is a retired auto worker with a high school diploma. His favorite thing about ridesharing is the flexibility of working freelance, something he feels has never been accessible to people without a degree in the past.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
The Michigan Legislature is debating how to regulate ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft. The State House has passed bills — House Bills 4637, 4638, 4639, 4640 and 4641 – which would establish fair regulations giving people the freedom to ride and the freedom to drive.
But the Senate has introduced two bills – Senate Bill 184 and 188 – which over regulates drivers, requiring them to jump through numerous hoops and pay high fees in order to work. Worse, cities across Michigan would be able to crack down on drivers and put them out of business. This would make it harder for drivers to provide rides and limit riders' access to convenient and affordable transportation.
Sorry, the link won't redirect. I'll post my thoughts on the matter in another post.
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Statewide Ridesharing Regulations @MackinacCenter http://www.mackinac.org/22072