The Salt Lake City council is set to pass an ordinance next week requiring ride-share drivers to comply with local ground transportation laws. But the companies, Uber, Lyft and Sidecar have launched a campaign to fight the proposal.
The ads on Facebook ask the public to urge members of the Salt Lake City council to vote “no” on the new rules-saying it will kill ridesharing in the city. The ordinance requires drivers undergo city background checks and vehicle safety inspections—something Lyft and Uber already do privately.
That’s why Noah Theran, a spokesman for The Internet Association, which acts as trade lobby for internet companies says the ordinance is a pointless duplication.
“We’re hoping first and foremost that the city council will go back to the drawing board, delay the vote and come up with ride-sharing ordinances that are workable for all parties involved,” Theran says.
Salt Lake City Councilman Charlie Luke says there is a great deal of misinformation about the ordinance-noting the drivers for the so-called Transportation Network Companies or TNC’s like Lyft are already being fined for non-compliance.
“The reality is, if we vote against this ordinance, TNC’s will remain banned in Salt Lake City,” Luke says.
A spokesperson for Uber says the company does not intend to comply with the city’s ordinance should it pass. The council will take a vote on the issue November 25th.
