Aldermen Call For Tightening Ride-Sharing Requirements Ahead Of Budget Vote
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Even as the Chicago City Council advanced Mayor Emanuel's budget towards next week's final vote, several aldermen are trying to win agreement on a tightening of the requirements for ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft, reports WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore.
45th Ward Alderman John Arena says if the mayor is going to allow drivers for so-called ride-sharing services to pick up passengers at the city's airports, the ones who do should be required to obtain the same chauffeur's licenses that regular taxi drivers have. Arena says it would even the playing field and be better for customers.
"Our thinking is that if you have to have a chauffeur's license, you're probably going to be one of the more professional Uber, Lyft, Sidecar drivers, that means you're doing this more as a living, fine let's give them access to that but let's make sure there is a standard," Arena said.
Mayor Emanuel suggests he will go along with any plan that meets his goals of helping the taxis and broadening the access to Uber and the rest.
"Other people have in addition to what I've asked, but it doesn't deviate from the goal of having competitive, qualitative choices across the city," Emanuel said.
The license fees also could bring in revenue.