A group of upstate taxi operators and limousine companies has hired a political heavy-hitter to lobby state lawmakers in a push to ensure that ridesharing services comply with existing regulations.
Limousine Bus Taxi Operators of Upstate New York has hired former Erie County Executive Joel Giambra to fight for what the association calls a “level playing field” for all companies that provide transportation services.
The effort is being ramped up as supporters of ridesharing push to bring the service back to Western New York. Ridesharing service Lyft operated in the region for a short time in 2014 until the company agreed to suspend upstate operations as part of an agreement with state regulators.
Bill Yuhnke, president of Liberty Yellow Cab and a leader in the coalition, denied that taxi and limousine operators are trying to eliminate competition.
“It’s not that we’re opposed to the ridesharing, it’s that they’re playing by a different set of rules. There’s a safety issue. They may say there’s not, but it is.”
The coalition insists that ridesharing companies “remain dangerously unregulated” in New York and compromise the safety of the traveling public.
“There’s cases all over the country. All you’ve got to do is Google either Lyft or Uber and you’ll see lawsuit after lawsuit all over the country,” Yuhnke said.
But ridesharing supporters are mounting an equally spirited effort to win state passage of legislation that
would allow companies like Lyft to resume service in the upstate region. WBFO covered a rally last Friday in Amherst where advocates described ridesharing as a trend-setting economic development tool.
“Urban areas and metropolitan areas across the country benefit from ridesharing,” said Colleen DiPirro, president and CEO of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce.
Diana Dellamere, public policy manager for Lyft, said ridesharing offers regions like Buffalo numerous benefits.
“For transportation options, for economic opportunities, reducing drunk driving, reducing congestion. These are the benefits of ridesharing.
Ridesharing services essentially allow drivers to use their own vehicles to shuttle customers from one destination to another for a “donation.” People seeking transportation request rides using apps on a smartphone that has GPS.
