SAN ANTONIO -- Rules for ride-sharing companies were approved Thursday afternoon after ride-share drivers and taxi drivers squared off in front of City Council.
The ordinance calls for drivers with ride-sharing companies to get a background check and a drug test. They also will need to provide their driving record before being approved to drive.
Council members removed a provision that called for eye exams and medical exams for drivers.
About 60 people signed up to speak on the issue in front of the council Thursday. Supporters of the ride-share companies said this provides them with access to earn income.
But opponents said there would be an uneven playing field if regular taxi drivers have different regulatory requirements from what the ride-sharing companies face.
The regulations go into effect as of March 1.
Despite winning council approval to operate in San Antonio, Uber and Lyft said they are still defeated. Ride-share companies have been against these sets of regulations from the get-go, saying it will essentially put them out of business and will mean loss of jobs in San Antonio.
Today, everyone on City Council approved the new regulations except for two council members, Rey Saldana from District 4 and Ron Nirenburg from District 8.
The local cab industry was pushing for stronger regulations, but those who run Uber and Lyft said the new policies are stricter than other cities like Austin and Houston.
Those policies include strict insurance plans, vehicle inspections, drug screenings and finger-print background checks.
Councilmember Nirenburg quickly voiced his opinion Thursday in a in a statement, saying:
"I believe that we should work together to revise the provisions that were adopted today in order to promote a vibrant and safe private transportation industry in San Antonio."
Not everyone on City Council feels this was a bad call.
According to some city leaders, it means people will be much safer when choosing ride-share companies like Uber or Lyft. But those city leaders who are against it said the revisions to chapter 33 went too far.
"The fundamental parts of this ordinance, which includes insurance driver eligibility inspections permits, were revised on the spot today, and I believe we needed some time to consider and study those," said Nirenburg.
Nirenburg said he's all for making ride-sharing safe but feels city leaders had to vote too quickly today.
But as for other city leaders, including our Mayor, they are "pleased" with today's outcome.
John Bouloubasis, president of Yellow Cab San Antonio, called it:
"A victory for public safety and equal access for disabled people and underserved San Antonio neighborhoods. Our city leaders stood their ground for a fair ordinance that puts public safety first and allows for all transportation businesses to flourish. This is a win for the people of San Antonio. "
