Ridesharers React To The End Of Uber In Broward
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Broward Uber users are reacting Tuesday to Monday's announcement that the ridesharing company is pulling out of the county at the end of July.
The company called Broward County's rules oppressive and wrote, in an email statement Monday, that County officials made it, "impossible for us to continue providing the standard of service people have come to expect in Broward County."
The majority of County Commissioners say their rules put safety above convenience.
County Commissioner Barbara Sharief said the county put in place strict measures, like requiring additional background checks, a permit, and state mandated commercial insurance, to protect users.
"If someone gets in a, God forbid, really bad accident, there's no protection for them," said Sharief.
CBS4's Natalia Zea spoke with several Uber users Tuesday.
Single mother Jennifer Braker relies on Uber to transport her 15-year-old son in Palm Beach County every day. Braker told Zea she gets nervous at the thought of losing the service.
"I depend on it. I depend on it. If I didn't have it, I would be in trouble because I just moved here," said Braker.
For now, Braker's ride will stay in place as Uber will continue operating under a temporary agreement in Palm Beach—but she won't be able to use it to take her son anywhere in Broward County as of July 31.
Some agree that Uber needs to comply with County regulations, not vice-versa. But the users Zea spoke to feel Uber is safe.
"Rules are there to be followed, but some rules need to be thought about in more depth. I think Uber is there to help people, to get around in, in the event that you're drunk. You don't want drunk drivers in your County, right?" said resident Dean Berry.
And though taxis have long been the traditional option for a ride, after too much to drink, it seems some members of the younger generation have forgotten taxis are an option. A young woman, who identified herself only as Arianna, said she relies on the service.
"When you want to go out, if you don't have a ride, you won't be able to have transportation," she told Zea.
Arianna is one of the thousands who have signed Uber's online petition urging the Broward Commission to reconsider its rules.
Until then, at the end of July, if you're looking for a ride in Broward—Uber won't be an option.
Uber's services in Palm Beach and Miami-Dade will remain in place, all though the service is illegal in Dade.
