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The controversial ride-hailing issue is sweeping across the nation, and Hawaii is no exception. The industry, led by companies such as Uber and Lyft, is upending the traditional taxicab business model, and lawmakers are feeling the pressure for regulations.
Among the handful of measures before the Honolulu City Council and some 20 at the state Legislature:
City Council
>> Bill 85 (2015) would require drivers of companies like Uber and Lyft to go through the city taxi-certification process. Vehicles used to transport passengers for hire would need to be equipped with a taximeter, rooftop sign or dome light, and fares would have to be posted. Drivers would be barred from using a GPS device to measure distance and calculate fares.
>> Bill 7 would require the city Department of Customer Services to review criminal convictions and traffic-violation histories of applicants for taxi-driver certificates for bearing on the public’s health, safety or welfare.
Legislature
>> Senate Bill 2777 would give oversight of ride-hailing companies to the counties, which regulate taxis, and would require regulating and permitting of ride-hailing drivers. Ride-hailing companies also would pay an annual airport permit fee to the state, and would be subject to insurance and minimum standards for driver qualifications and policies linked to drug/alcohol issues, anti-discrimination and accessibility.
>> SB 3115 would give the counties access to state and federal criminal background checks of applicants for taxicab driver certificates.
