Not just Uber — City also reaching out to other startup ride-sharing services
As it continues its research into the possibility of allowing ride-sharing companies like Uber to operate in town, the Rochester city administration has also started reaching out to smaller, startup services.
"The City is communicating with a number of smaller ride sharing companies that offer models that are more cooperative than some of the larger [transportation network companies]," said City Clerk Aaron Reeves. "We hope to develop relationships with these companies to bring their services to the City soon."
We first reported in March that conversations had begun between the city and representatives from Uber about revising city regulations. Rochester's existing ordinance requires a taxicab franchise license, preventing ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft from offering service in the area.
The city is still in talks with Uber, but Reeves said he wants to make sure the city "explores all the potential options so we can present the full range of opportunities to the Council for discussion." He also disagreed with the notion that the administration is moving too slowly on the issue.
"If you look at how TNC's have rolled out across the country and even in other countries it has often been a very difficult and confrontational process," Reeves said in an email to the Med City Beat. "We are attempting to research the ever growing number of options available so the Council can make an informed decision on how to move forward in the hopes that our process will be much smoother and with minimal negative impacts."
There's no timetable for when the council will take up the issue.
Have an opinion on this topic? Consider writing an op-ed to the Med City Beat.
Featured content:
(Cover photo: The Med City Beat)
