IMG_4462We’re settled in here at City Hall as members of the Seattle City Council prepare to discuss proposed regulations for ride-sharing startups, which have angered companies like Sidecar, Lyft and Uber.

Representatives from the taxi and for-hire industries speak with Councilmember Bruce Harrell after Friday's meeting.
Representatives from the taxi and for-hire industries speak with Councilmember Bruce Harrell after Friday’s meeting.

The draft ordinance would require ride-sharing companies, among a bevy of other rules, to obtain a $50,000 annual license to operate as a transportation network company, and have no more than 100 vehicles driving a maximum of 16 hours per week — limits that Uber says “hurts all Seattleites.”

California dealt with the same issue a few month ago, when the California Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously to legalize ride-sharing. The state did not enforce limits on number of vehicles or hours driven ultimately allowing the startups to operate.

Currently, the ride-sharing companies are driving around Seattle illegally since they’re not yet regulated by government. This has angered taxi companies, who are losing business.

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