The Columbia City Council decided to hold off on voting on an ordinance that would affect the ride-share service Uber, which began operation in Columbia on October 9th. Rides were free to customers through Nov. 16. Columbia Assistant City Manager Tony St. Romaine said when the company began charging customers last month, the business was operating illegally in Columbia.
Romaine worked with the company to create an amendment to the Code of Ordinances regarding Transportation Network Services, which was slated to be voted on at Monday night’s city council meeting. The amendment would have outlined requirements for services like Uber, including employee background checks and vehicle inspections.
Local cab company owners and citizens criticized the business model and ethics of Uber at the meeting. Angie Nickerson, owner of Taxi Terry’s, said the amendment would allow Uber to conduct its own background checks and vehicle inspections while cab companies are regulated by the city.
“I don't understand how they can just come in and say, I want you to change all of the rules to fit our business, but yet, nobody has changed any rules to fit our business and we’re the constituents right here.”
Uber spokesperson, Pooneet Kant, says he looks forward to working with the city during the next two months so the board may come to a consensus.
“I think there's definitely some education we can do, you know, helping the city understand we have no objections to regulations that make sense and we're very committed to public safety. We have industry leading background checks, industry leading insurance which is far greater than what taxis are required to have.
Council members put a hold on revising and voting on the amendment until the Feb. 2 meeting. The city will ticket any Uber drivers for operation until the decision is made.
