Soglin
Madison Mayor Paul Soglin is proposing ordinance revisions to address ride-sharing services. Milwaukee has lifted the cap on the number of public passenger vehicle permits, and has legalized new ride-sharing services like Lyft and Uber.
That’s not the route Soglin plans to take in Madison. “What’s primary in terms of concern, is public safety, protection of consumers and the protection of full-time jobs,” Soglin said. Soglin’s proposed ordinance will essentially treat the ride-sharing services like cab companies.
Among other things, it would require 24-7 service, a local “brick and mortar office” for every company, markings and rate postings on all vehicles used for hire, professional inspections every 10-thousand miles, and disclosure to and insurance for drivers. “My sense is they will not like this,” he said when asked how Uber and Lyft will react.
The mayor said not acting could leave the public with limited options to get cabs at off hours, and subject them to “outrageous” rate surges “in an unregulated market.” Soglin expects his proposals to be considered by the city council this fall.