Consumer Advocate: Florida Rideshare Proposal ‘Hell-on-Wheels’
The Consumer Federation of the Southeast (CFSE) has warned that consumers will be at significant risk if Florida legislators allow transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft to follow different consumer protection standards than other transportation services in cities and counties across Florida.
Walter Dartland, executive director of the Federation, said in a statement that standard, reasonable regulations on taxicabs and limousines ensure public safety and consumer protection on a level playing field.
Legislative proposals that would allow newer transportation network companies (known as TNCs) to operate under a “loosely regulated and different set of rules would undermine provisions that protect consumers’ physical and financial safety,” he said.
Anti-Uber Website
Dartland also announced the launch of a new website – www.UberNightmare.com – to provide consumers with information about issues related to TNCs like Uber.
“It’s time to deflate the tires on this hell-on-wheels idea,” Dartland said. “It’s unwise and dangerous to ignore the risk that consumers face from barely regulated service providers. No one should have an unfair advantage in the marketplace because it’s consumers who ultimately pay the price.”
Dartland, a long-time Florida consumer advocate, cautioned that proposed legislation would allow TNCs to conduct their activities largely free of regulations designed to protect the public.
Dartland said for-hire transportation services should all play by the same rules regarding insurance requirements, passenger and vehicle safety, and consumer privacy.
“These companies insist they are not the same as taxi and limousine companies, and therefore shouldn’t be regulated the same way,” Dartland said. “But they recruit drivers, they market for passengers who need immediate transportation, they dispatch drivers, and they charge passengers for rides. If that isn’t the same as a taxicab or limousine company, then what is?”
Insurance Requirements
Dartland said that TNCs do not follow the same insurance coverage requirements as traditional taxi and limo services, nor do they, he maintained, make sure vehicles meet public safety requirements such as independent safety inspections and licensure as commercial vehicles.
Dartland added that it is imperative that the insurance required by TNCs clearly disclose to the driver how normal auto insurance dovetails with other insurance.
In addition, Uber and Lyft have frequently drawn complaints over their practice of hiking up fares on a moment’s notice at busy times – so-called “surge pricing” – and declining to provide service to certain neighborhoods or at certain times.