The fate of those pink mustachioed cars that ferry people around for the cost of a donation will be decided tomorrow, among the other app-based car-sharing startups. California legalized ride-sharing last week, but it’s still uncertain which direction Seattle will lean tomorrow when the Seattle City Council decides how to juggle aggrieved taxi drivers, a city population that is 50/50 on public transport vs. driving solo, and a free market that deserves evolution.
Because so much is up in the air on this vote, councilwoman Sally Clark is proposing a halt to all ride-sharing app-based business until the best decision presents itself. Recently, she told Geekwire, “I think it’s either shut them down completely until we have the new regulatory framework fully ready, or put in place short-term rules addressing safety and consumer protection.”
For-hire licensing is one of the biggest elements that the vote will hinge on, and cabbies have a lot to say about that. The president of the Seattle-King County For-Hire Association says that a regular taxi license acquired for a few thousand dollars 20 years ago is worth $360,000 today. But isn’t that also part of the reason these off-the-grid ride-sharers started popping up in the first place? Not only has the city failed to issue enough licenses to accommodate our quickly bloating population, purchasing them is just too expensive.
It’s tough to say which direction the vote will swing, but it’s certain that public opinions will play a huge factor. UberX certainly wants you to care, and have provided emails and twitter handles for making your piece heard with the respective authorities.
What do you think? Is ride-sharing the way of the future?
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California actually ruled that these are not “ridesharing” services at all. It has legalized them as something similar to what in Seattle would be called “For Hire” car service.