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Wednesday, November 13, 2024 79° Today's Paper


Hawaii News

Proposal puts Uber, Lyft on same level as taxis

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JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM

Uber driver Cara Sadira referenced her smartphone Friday prior to starting her car in Kakaako. Under the newly introduced Bill 85, Uber drivers would face the same regulations as taxicabs.

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DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

Drivers from TheCab lined up at the Ala Moana Hotel Friday to wait for fares.

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DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

Cab driver Ngok Nguyen speaks with Ryan Matsumoto, operations manager for TheCab. Nguyen and some fellow taxi drivers were lined up at the Ala Moana Hotel Friday waiting for fares.

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CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL/CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM

David Jung, owner of EcoCab, said he identified a void in traditional taxicab service and was able to start a niche company within city permitting guidelines. All EcoCabs are hybrid vehicles and rides come with free Wi-Fi and a tablet for customer use. Drivers are employees and are not contract workers so Jung can better manage his fleet. He said ride-hailing companies should be able to work within Honolulu’s restrictions, which have some of the softest barriers to entry in the nation.