Uber is planning to rollout a ride-sharing service called UberX Rideshare which will offer low cost transportation using community drivers.  These drivers are unlicensed (non-permitted) operating vehicles which are non-commercially insured.

All rideshare trips requested through the Uber platform will be covered by an insurance policy with a minimum coverage of $2,000.000.

According to Uber, it’s ridesharing service will be available in any market where regulators have tacitly approved doing so.  ”If a competitor is operating for 30 days without direct enforcement against transportation providers, then Uber will interpret that as “tacit approval” of ridesharing activity.”

RELATED:

Uber Policy White Paper 1.0

The HUFF Post recently reported that the San Francisco Intl Airport is banning ride sharing service companies from picking up and dropping off travelers at the SFO Airport.  Cease-and-Desist Orders were sent to 6 companies which use mobile applications to enable riders to connect with drivers.

According to Airport Spokesman Doug Yakel, “We have an obligation to ensure safety and provide a fair playing field for all transportation providers.”

California ground transportation companies are required to have an airport permit and pay trip fees to the SFO Airport for the privilege to pickup passengers from the airport.  The competing ride sharing firms are not regulated by the SFO Airport and do not pay any fees to the airport in order to pickup or dropoff travelers.

Recent San Francisco Ground Transportation News

SF Taxi Complaints Increase 13 Percent in 2012

The Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association (TLPA), a non-profit trade association for the passenger ground transportation industry has recently released a media briefer about Rogue Transportation Apps.

The TLPA says “rogue” app dispatch services continue to threaten passenger safety.

Media Brief Overview

1. A “traffic-light” color-coded overview and explanation of the main apps in use today.
2. A review of the difference between taxicab and limousine service and regulations.
3. A look at some of the legal actions against rogue apps.
4. Useful quotes from industry leaders on the dangers of rogue apps.

RELATED

Taxi, Limo Trade Group Hates Innovative Upstarts, Labels Them ‘Rogue Applications’

Rogue Apps: A Threat to Public Safety and to Equal Access Transportation

Two Car-Sharing startups continue to operate in San Francisco despite receiving a cease-and-desist order earlier this year from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).  In August, both Lyft and SideCar received orders from CPUC which allege the companies do not have the required charter party carrier permits in order to provide commercial passenger transportation services.

The Car-Sharing companies operate a communications platform which connect drivers and riders using a mobile application.  Payments for rides are voluntary, suggested and facilitated by the app.

The California Public Utilities Commission is responsible for regulating ground transportation companies including shuttle, limousine and charter-bus operators.  According to CPUC’s general counsel, Frank Lindh stated “Right now the concern is that if I were to be picked up by one of these cars and there is some kind of accident, that (driver’s) insurance company may deny that claim.”

In September Lyft purchased $1 million in excess liability insurance.

Recent San Francisco Ground Transportation News

City Approves New Temporary San Francisco Taxi Permits

A new peer-to-peer (P2P) ridesharing app officially launched today which enables users to share ground transportation rides in real-time.  SideCar started beta testing in San Francisco in February of this year and has facilitated more than 10,000 rides over the last four months.

SideCar is an alternative for travelers seeking for-hire ground transportation services including taxi, shuttle, limousine, charter-bus and or mass transit.  The rideshare app provides the rider with a suggested fare based on similar rides and includes an internal rating system.

To enhance safety, all member drivers of the community are screened which includes a background check, driver’s license verification, proof of insurance and an interview.  Both the driver and rider can rate each other at the end of the ride.

Related: Ride Sharing To and From the Airport
TransportationReviews.com offers airport travelers a free ride-sharing application called GroundShare which connects travelers for the purpose of sharing a taxi, limousine or shuttle bus going to and from U.S. Airports.

The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) has recently decided to make the taxicab group ride stand at the Port Authority bus terminal a permanent service.  The taxi ride sharing service first started in June 2010 as a test pilot program.

The group taxi stand is located at West 42nd St and 8th Ave and operates from 6:00 to 10:00am Monday thru Friday.  Two or more travelers can share a taxi to 59th St and 6th Ave for a discounted fare.   The taxi fare is $3.00 per person.  The average non-group fare is typically about $5.85.

Passengers may exit the taxi anywhere along the driver’s route.

Other NYC Group Taxi Ride Locations
-  York Ave and East 79th St going to the Financial District.
-  LaGuardia Airport to Manhattan between 35th to 59th Street and 2nd Ave to 8th Ave.  Operates from 7 to 10:00am and 4 to 8:00pm Monday thru Friday.  Taxi cost from LGA Airport is $22 per person for 2 passengers or $18 per person for 3 passengers.

Share a Taxi, Limousine or Shuttle from U.S. Commercial Airports
Transportation Reviews offers a free ride-sharing web application called GroundShare which connects travelers for the purpose of sharing a taxi, limousine or shuttle bus to and from most major U.S. Airports.

Transportation Reviews recently announced the launch of a free web application called GroundShare which allows travelers to share rides going to and from U.S. Airports by taxi, limousine or shuttle bus.  The ride-share app connects airport travelers which require for-hire ground transportation at similar times going to and from the same geographical area.

GroundShare allows airport travelers to save up to 50% off or more on the cost of the ride by sharing the cost of the fare with other passengers.  Sharing a ride to and from the airport is efficient, reduces vehicle congestion at airports and on roads, improves air quality and lessens our dependence on oil.

According to Todd Nemet, President of Transportation Reviews,

“our GroundShare application compliments other green initiatives employed at many U.S. Airports.  For example a growing number of airports are implementing green initiatives by requiring companies which have exclusive airport ground transportation contracts with the airport to operate green vehicle fleets including hybrids and vehicles powered by compressed natural gas (CNG).”