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Does anyone have details on the associated costs involved for Uber and/or the drivers? I can't imagine background checks being very excessive for the drivers, s

by meritt 11y ago

Does anyone have details on the associated costs involved for Uber and/or the drivers? I can't imagine background checks being very excessive for the drivers, so maybe it's grossly expensive and miscategorized insurance? Uber + Lyft just relaunched here in Portland. Drivers are required to have valid business licenses and pass a background check too. Everyone is very happy with the changes. (except our local taxi commission, of course)

prostoalex 11y ago
Same in many European cities, where even UberX drivers have to have a "private driver" license. The requirements involve documented regular maintenance and insurance coverage that would include passengers, not sure what's the business logic behind opposing them.
- rmc 11y ago
  > not sure what's the business logic behind opposing them They want to have no costs to doing business, and to reap all the profits.
  - prostoalex 11y ago
    I mean, the cost is already shifted to the drivers (who have to pay for license, submit maintenance paperwork and buy insurance) and taxpayers (who hire government clerks to review all that stuff). But I get what you're saying - at that point the profit opportunity diminishes somewhat. The upfront cost of it also discourages casual drivers who only planned to do some weekend work.
cantankerous 11y ago
Glad to hear they could reach a deal in Portland. The terms your describing is, I think, essentially the terms KC is asking for now. Uber is holding out that the Missouri legislature will override the city ordinance with regards to ride sharing. A likely proposition as Missouri's legislators are so readily influenced by those with money and love overriding home rule in the major cities.
fabian2k 11y ago
The required insurance in that bill seems to be 1 million dollars, which seems still very low to me. Mandatory insurance minimums for cars here in Germany are much higher than that.

by meritt 11y ago

prostoalex 11y ago

Same in many European cities, where even UberX drivers have to have a "private driver" license. The requirements involve documented regular maintenance and insurance coverage that would include passengers, not sure what's the business logic behind opposing them.

rmc 11y ago
> not sure what's the business logic behind opposing them They want to have no costs to doing business, and to reap all the profits.
- prostoalex 11y ago
  I mean, the cost is already shifted to the drivers (who have to pay for license, submit maintenance paperwork and buy insurance) and taxpayers (who hire government clerks to review all that stuff). But I get what you're saying - at that point the profit opportunity diminishes somewhat. The upfront cost of it also discourages casual drivers who only planned to do some weekend work.

cantankerous 11y ago

Glad to hear they could reach a deal in Portland. The terms your describing is, I think, essentially the terms KC is asking for now. Uber is holding out that the Missouri legislature will override the city ordinance with regards to ride sharing. A likely proposition as Missouri's legislators are so readily influenced by those with money and love overriding home rule in the major cities.

fabian2k 11y ago

The required insurance in that bill seems to be 1 million dollars, which seems still very low to me. Mandatory insurance minimums for cars here in Germany are much higher than that.