WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Upscale private car service
Uber made a splash at the beginning of the month when
The New York Times revealed that the startup was beginning to rollout an all-hybrid vehicle option at a lower price point; the goal being to pass along the savings from the more environmentally-friendly cars’ lower gas consumption to customers.
Unlike San Francisco and New York, however, where the new ‘UberX’ hybrid car service is now in testing, the District is putting-up legal roadblocks to Uber’s plans, with the D.C. City Council
informing the company that it intends to pass an amendment to the existing taxi modernization bill that would make it illegal to
lower its prices.
Yes, you read that correctly. The D.C. government, most likely at the urging of the powerful taxicab lobby which competes with Uber, wants to establish a price floor for fares that is fixed at today’s rates, thereby criminalizing the introduction of any new low cost car service. And it's steamrolling the vote on this legislation
today.
Outraged, many fans of Uber’s service (which has exploded in popularity since it first launched in Washington last year), have taken to the Internet in protest of this proposed new law:
Indeed, an
online petition has already garnered more than 2,500 signatures decrying the D.C. City Council’s meddling. It nevertheless remains to be seen if such opposition will be enough to prevent the amendment from becoming law.
The sad part of this story is that is has overshadowed Uber’s attempt in Washington to continue expanding consumers’ transportation options. Perhaps overlooked by many given the recent furor over the planned hybrid offering is the newfound ability for users of the mobile application to choose between standard black car service or instead opt for a larger SUV.
Choice is good for consumers and voters alike. Hopefully, the D.C. Council will realize that sooner rather than later.
