Uber Demands More Changes, Not Back In Broward Just Yet
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BROWARD (CBSMiami) – Broward County commissioners grappled late into the night Thursday trying to find a compromise to get ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft back on the road. But in the end, neither side came to an agreement.
The companies pulled out July 31st, after the county passed stricter rules. Taxi and limo companies applauded the move.
But Uber and Lyft riders gave their commissioners an ear full, demanding they work out looser rules.
Commissioners attempted to do that Thursday, but were met by a slew of proposals.
"These amendments, 20 of them, popping out. You can't even keep up with them. If I can't keep up with them, what in the world is the public doing. This is totally impropriate," said lobbyist George Platt.
The changes came just as the meeting began. Commissioner Barbara Sharief felt overwhelmed.
"I don't care if you are shaking your head at me. I could care less. I vote too. And I vote for me and there is 40,000 other people who vote for me. And you can be one that doesn't. I don't care," said Sharief.
Some of the changes Uber requested included allowing felons to be drivers, as long as they weren't convicted of sex crimes or violent acts.
The county also wanted county qualified mechanics inspected cars, unpaid fees owed to the airport be paid up, and Uber provide an emergency phone number for customers. All items the ride-sharing companies didn't want to bend on.
The debate went on and on – commissioners hoping to put the issue behind them.
"They don't care about fingerprints. They don't care about insurance. They don't care about this, that or the other. What they care about is when they pick up their phone they get a car in three, four minutes. Now I get that some are going to tweet that I don't care about public safety… but I don't think this is a public safety issue," said Broward Commissioner Jessica Ritter.
Commissioners suspended the talks after the clock hit midnight. They will take up the issue again on October 13th.
