Cuomo ride-sharing bill in development stages

Dec. 21--Tweet

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's office has drafted a preliminary bill that would allow ride-sharing services to operate in upstate New York.

The bill has been privately circulated among legislative leaders, according to Politico, with the prospect that it would come to the floor during a potential special legislative session before the end of the year. Under the legislation, municipalities will not be able establish their own regulations, but they can ban the service all together.

The bill's provisions include a $100,000 minimum liability insurance requirement for drivers using ride-sharing service apps, such as Uber and Lyft, with the rate increasing to $1 million if the driver has a passenger. The bill would also require background checks with no fingerprinting, charge users 50 cents per ride, and compensate drivers hurt on the job through the Black Car Fund, which recognizes ride-sharing drivers as contractors and not employees.

The 50-cent fees collected from upstate rides would be given to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to help them recover loses from increased use of Uber in New York City.

But the provisions could change. A spokesperson for Mr. Cuomo told Politico that the drafts they obtained were early versions and that negotiations were ongoing.

North country legislators in the past have said they would be in favor of a bill if it came to a vote.

A bill to expand these services did pass the State Senate over the summer, gaining "aye" votes from state Sens. Patricia A. Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, and Joseph A. Griffo, R-Rome. But it did not make it out of the Assembly Insurance Committee before session's end. Democratic members of the Assembly have sought higher liability insurance rates. Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, said she supported that bill, adding that she thought the insurance requirements were high enough.

Sen. Griffo said Tuesday that he has concerns about the 50-cent fee in the new bill, however.

"I understand that this approach is used in other states, but I believe it is wrong and unfair to impose essentially a new tax on upstate New Yorkers without doing the same for anyone in New York City," he said in a statement. "Instead of trying to squeeze every penny out of hard-working upstate residents, the governor should be reprioritizing budget issues so that we can fund public transit systems through more appropriate budgetary means, starting with the legislation he vetoed that would have helped identify more long-term funding sources for upstate transit systems."

In November, Gov. Cuomo vetoed the "transit lockbox" bill, which would have established a dedicated funding stream for the MTA.

The Upstate Transportation Association also continues to be a stark opponent of the legislation. The association has argued that bringing Uber upstate would be "irresponsible" without the same regulations followed in New York City, emphasizing the need for fingerprinting along with background checks and other safety regulations against those who could abuse the service.

So far, there have been no new hints that legislators will convene in a special session, which would primarily be to extend the deadline for the Commission on Legislative, Executive and Judicial Compensation to approve a legislator pay raise. But Gov. Cuomo and Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie have said the session would be to address "the people's business." The Times Union reported Monday that Gov. Cuomo and Mr. Heastie want a special session to address increased funding for affordable housing in New York City. Gov. Cuomo said he also wants a slew of other issues, such as term limits, addressed.

TO BE AN UBER DRIVER

Few qualifications are needed to become a driver for Uber.

One must be at least 21 years old, have at least one year of driving experience in the United States as well as have a valid drivers license, vehicle registration and insurance. Drivers under 23 must have at least three years of driving experience.

Once a driver has signed up, he or she must complete a screening to review driving record and criminal history.

All of the requirements to become a driver for Uber can be viewed on the app's website.

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