COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - The Columbia City Council has approved new regulations for ride-booking services such as Uber and Lyft.
The regulations approved Monday require the companies to get business licenses and license their drivers as chauffeurs. The drivers must pass background checks and their vehicles will undergo the same type of condition checks that the city conducts for taxis.
The Columbia Daily Tribune reports (http://bit.ly/1E1uyGk) the drivers also must be insured for $1 million per incident for accidents, in addition to several thousand dollars in other insurance.
"It is clear to us that the city's intent is to make sure ride-sharing as an industry is not welcome in Columbia and never will be, despite residents' overwhelming support," Uber representative Carla Jacobs told the council.
Jacobs said the city's plan reduces safety for riders and drivers, and the insurance requirement is far too high. She says the insurance that the council now requires for ride-sharing is 20 times what the city asks of taxi companies. Deputy City Manager Tony St. Romaine said he didn't know how the company came up with that figure.
Fifth Ward Councilwoman Laura Nauser said that Uber lost credibility when it operated illegally in Columbia for several months.
"Why should I, as a councilperson, believe your inspections and background checks" and inspections will be reliable?" Nauser asked.
Uber did not charge for rides when it began operating in Columbia because it was still trying to negotiate a deal with the city. Uber soon began charging customers without obtaining a business license first. According to St. Romaine, police officers have ticketed four drivers for operating without a driver's permit as of Saturday. He said he didn't know how Uber determined that the insurance requirement is 20 times more than the requirement for taxi companies.
Several residents said at the council meeting that they feel safe using Uber's services.