Fair rules needed for taxis, Uber, Lyft

Across the nation, cities have been grappling with public safety issues, price gouging allegations, and regulatory infractions arising from the emergence of transportation network companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft. In response, scores of cities have taken steps to regulate these companies.

Unfortunately, Honolulu policymakers have not been as proactive. In fact, the city still hasn’t adopted rules for recently passed legislation to regulate TNCs.

As a result, these companies continue to operate freely — risking public safety and putting the taxi industry at a competitive disadvantage. Within the past several months alone, an Uber driver has been indicted for sexually assaulting a teenage passenger, and numerous Uber and Lyft drivers have been fined and arrested for illegally operating at the airport without permits.

At long last, city officials are now poised to consider rules and additional regulations for both TNCs and the taxi industry. This is an opportunity to correct the core problem that has persisted with TNCs — a double standard in the regulations for transportation companies.

While TNCs have operated without oversight and safeguards, the taxi industry is heavily regulated. There are some common sense provisions that should be considered to advance consumer and public safety while ensuring all transportation companies compete on equal footing.

Let’s start by strengthening criminal background checks. Earlier this year, Bill 36 was passed requiring taxi and TNC drivers to undergo fingerprinting and a two-year background check. Taxi drivers are already required to do this but too many have secured licenses despite extensive criminal records just because their crimes were committed years ago. Think about it, a convicted sex offender or murderer can simply wait two years after their conviction and start driving a cab or for Uber.

Just a few years ago, a cab driver with multiple DUI convictions was convicted of attempted murder after running down his passenger because he was angry about his tip. This could have been avoided. We need fingerprinting and FBI database background checks.

In addition, a zero-tolerance policy should be adopted for certain heinous crimes such as murder, rape, assault with a deadly weapon, and other violent crimes. We should also prohibit drivers with more than seven offences. No one wants a dangerous criminal behind the wheel driving unsuspecting passengers.

We must also enforce the laws already on the books, particularly commercial insurance for taxi and TNC drivers. The law currently requires all transportation companies to have commercial insurance from a state-licensed carrier. However, TNCs have flouted this law. They don’t have coverage from proper local commercial insurers and they don’t even issue insurance identification cards to their drivers as is mandated by Hawaii law.

City regulations should require TNC drivers to play by the rules and carry proof of insurance as taxis are already doing. After all, there are huge liability concerns for Honolulu drivers who get into an accident with an Uber or Lyft without the proper coverage.

These simple fixes will help keep the public safe and ensure all transportation companies can compete under the same terms. Anything less would be a disservice to the people of Honolulu.