BUFFALO, NY-- We're getting a look at where things stand in the battle to bring ridesharing to upstate New York.
Politico New York reports that it got ahold of a draft ridesharing bill that the governor's office ouot together. It could be considered at a special session if there's one before the end of the year.
Among other things, the proposal would require background checks on drivers, but one of the drafted bills did not require fingerprinting as opponents have demanded. It would also allow local governments ban the ridesharing companies, but not regulate them.
It would also charge riders outside of New York city an extra 50 cents a ride. Money from upstate trips would go to local public transit systems, while money from suburban New York City trips would fund the MTA.
In response to the bill, John Tomassi, president of the Upstate Transportation Association, released the following statement:
"This bill is a non-starter because it doesn't even include the basic passenger protections already provided in New York City. That clear disregard for public safety shows that Uber's corporate office must have had a hand in writing the bill. Upstate riders deserve to be just as safe as New York City riders – and that means requiring fingerprint background checks for every ridesharing driver statewide."
Bill Yuhnke, the president of Liberty Yellow Cab in Buffalo, said the proposal falls short, particularly because the cities would not be able to regulate the taxi companies' new competition.
"We're going to be operating like the Wild, Wild West," Yuhkne said. "New York City has regulations and it's regulated for a reason."