The industry has been keeping a close eye on smartphone apps like Uber and others that allow customers to arrange immediate black car or taxi transportation on their phones by viewing the cars closest to them on a map. While the black car app model seems to be thriving in some markets, it was recently announced that the New York Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) would recall the taxi-hailing app, saying that it does not authorize the use of apps for hailing or payments.

News spread like wildfire throughout our industry. Al LaGasse, CEO of the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association (TLPA), which has been working vigorously on the issue of “rogue” apps skirting laws across the country, had this to say: “If you willfully disregard regulations, it’s going to cost you. The regulations aren’t there as suggestions. Yes in almost every market where Uber operates, it acts as if rules don’t apply to them. That’s bad for public safety, it’s a poor business model, and I believe elected officials across North America are beginning to understand this.”

Matt Daus, president of the Coalition of Transportation Associations (COTA) and the International Association of Transportation Regulators (IATR), has organized a Smartphone App Committee in order to provide input and expertise on regulations for these apps. Daus says some apps meet the definition of a measuring device, which currently requires weights and measures expertise and regulation. Not to mention, these apps have no way of assuring passengers that the drivers has passed government background checks.

Uber may have backed out of New York City for now as far as its taxi service goes, but operators across the country—in some of the biggest markets—are seeing a real impact on their businesses due to Uber. These associations plan to keep attention on the issue, and both LaGasse and Daus will be speaking at the Association Summit at The Limo Digest Show this month. Please visit www.tlpa.org or www.nynjcota.org for more information. LD11/12