After months of debate, our elected representatives in Hawaii continue to grapple with questions over the future of ridesharing.

Their decision regarding Senate Bill 1280 has tremendous implications for the future of transportation here, as thousands of Hawaii residents and visitors have adopted ridesharing as a way to unlock an economic opportunity and connect to the people and places they love.

We understand new technologies and industries raise questions, and we agree it is important for governments to implement regulations that ensure safety standards are set and met. However, these regulations must recognize that technology and our 21st century economy should work hand in hand to solve challenges facing our communities.

Uber doesn’t own any vehicles. People driving their own cars are certified to connect with the nearest person looking for a ride through the app. Ridesharing allows residents to use a resource they already have to earn an income. The concept is simple, but Uber’s ridesharing service is already reducing costs for residents and creating a viable alternative to car ownership.

When people ditch their keys or split rides, there are fewer cars on the road, lowering congestion and improving our environment. When residents have more options to get home safely, they also make better choices — for instance, drunken driving rates have dropped by 10 percent in some cities.

Uber’s processes ensure the comfort and security of both the rider and driver. It starts with its nationally accredited background check provider, which combs county, state and federal databases, the National Sex Offender registry, and motor vehicle records going back seven years.

Drivers are everyday people who have passed a rigorous background check — one that roughly 10 percent of active Honolulu taxi drivers fail. Maui taxicab operators only need a valid driver’s license, and Honolulu taxicab drivers only receive a two-year check on their Honolulu county records.

The app has built-in security and accountability features such as GPS technology, which leaves an electronic trace behind. In addition, leading auto insurance companies recently reached a national agreement concerning insurance for ridesharing companies, which has been adopted in states across the United States.

As Hawaii leaders decide the fate of another transportation option in our state, we must ask: Do we have a transportation problem to solve in Hawaii? Hawaii has seen 30 percent growth in the number of registered vehicles since 2003. While Americans are driving 7 percent fewer miles per capita since 2005, Hawaii residents are driving more and more every day. Whether one is concerned by the depleting ozone layer or H-1 traffic, it’s hard to argue that the current infrastructure and systems of the past hundred years can sufficiently serve Hawaii residents tomorrow and beyond.

We believe that just as limos and taxicabs have coexisted for years, so can a third option: ridesharing. Just as other industries have been regulated to meet safety standards and ensure consumer choice within different models, we believe that transportation network companies can be regulated to recognize this new industry.

Our industry’s focus remains on replacing car ownership, providing economic opportunities and supporting consumer choice.

Today, legislators have in their hands SB 1280, which requires significant amendments so Hawaii may once again be driving full speed into the 21st-century sharing economy. As they head into conference committee to consider the future for hundreds of Hawaii entrepreneurs and the thousands of riders who now rely on a safe and reliable ride, we hope there is really one question on their mind: What is the best decision for Hawaii’s future?