Calling for Smart Rideshare Regulations in St. Louis
Since the launch of uberX, more than 40 jurisdictions across the country have welcomed ridesharing in their communities by enacting smart regulations that allow ridesharing to exist and grow while setting high safety standards.
New industries require thoughtful and modern regulations. Cities like Austin, Washington D.C., Minneapolis, and Kansas City, and states that neighbor Missouri, such as Illinois, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Kentucky have been getting it right by establishing industry standards with a common-sense approach.
So what do responsible regulations look like?
When it comes to regulating ridesharing, the highest priority should always be ensuring SAFETY for riders and drivers. This can be done in a way that does not place undue barriers that would impede the benefits that come with ridesharing. The framework outlined below leverages the digital age to provide a new level of safety that previously was not possible:
SAFETY FEATURES
- No street hails to assure that no ride is anonymous and that each trip is tracked live via GPS
- Require electronic payments to avoid risks from carrying cash, meaning drivers do not become targets for theft
- 24/7 feedback loop and customer support ensuring that riders and drivers are constantly rated based on quality and service
- End-to-end insurance coverage, requiring each trip to be covered by a $1,000,000 liability insurance policy
- Multi-stage background checks that every driver-partner applicant must undergo through an accredited third-party provider:
- Driver Motor Vehicle record search
- County, State, and Federal criminal trace
- National Sex Offender Public Website check
- Global Terrorist Watchlist check
THE BENEFITS OF RIDESHARING: ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
After gaining access to the platform, Uber driver-partners have the freedom to work as little or as much as they please, allowing them the flexibility to drive part-time while their kids are at school or on the weekends to earn extra income.
THE BENEFITS OF RIDESHARING: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
- Affordability: uberX is cheaper than a taxi. In St. Louis, we estimate uberX prices to be 20% cheaper than taxi and 60% cheaper than UberBlack.
- Access: In Chicago, more than 50% of all pick ups and drop offs occur in areas that are considered underserved by taxi, as defined by the City of Chicago. Ridesharing increases the mobility of people who often need to commute long distances to work or live in areas that traditional public transportation and taxis do not serve.
- Income Opportunities: For Uber driver-partners who come from neighborhoods with a median hourly wage of less than $15, we estimate that 92% earn more than their neighborhood’s hourly income.
- Mobility: Thanks to Uber, small businesses in remote neighborhoods of a city are more reachable. In Chicago, Uber trip data combined with Yelp’s database of businesses shows that around one third of trips begin or end at a small business.
- DUI Reduction: Uber has been shown to dramatically reduce the number of DUI arrests in a given market. Through our partnership with MADD, Uber stands committed to improving the safety of the public by reducing drunk driving.
Leaders across the nation have shown how modern regulations that account for technological innovation can create great benefits in communities. People can easily and quickly start providing safe, affordable transportation for their neighbors, all while working flexible hours and earning additional income.
The time for waiting is over. Let’s bring uberX to St. Louis!
Updated May 13, 2016