Nathan Triplett: New regulations will address concerns

A robust multimodal public transportation system is essential to the prosperity of our region. Residents and visitors expect and deserve a choice of high-quality transportation options to meet their varying needs. Having more options to choose from is a win for our region, which is why Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero and I were pleased to welcome the Uber ride-sharing service to Greater Lansing.

We are hardly alone. Uber is now operating in over 150 cities across more than 40 countries. It provides a safe, reliable and affordable transportation option that augments existing offerings. Personally, I’ve taken advantage of this service in cities from Washington, D.C. to Chicago to Los Angeles and now in East Lansing. As ridesharing services become more ubiquitous, visitors have come to expect that these services will be available when traveling to a community for business or pleasure. That’s an expectation our region can now meet.

Like any new business model, the introduction of ride-sharing services has not been without controversy. It has undeniably disrupted existing taxicab markets. In light of that fact, communities face a basic choice: will we fight innovation or embrace it? I firmly believe that it is in the best interest of our residents and our region to embrace it. Technologies change. Regulatory authorities must change with them.

Next Tuesday, the East Lansing City Council will be discussing a new approach to regional regulation of both taxicabs and ride-sharing services. Rather than try and force the square peg of ride-sharing services into a round hole of taxi regulation, we are working with the City of Lansing and other regional stakeholders to develop regulations that are appropriate to each unique transportation modality. The proposed regulations will establish requirements that recognize the paramount importance of public safety, while also allowing a desirable new transportation option to enter the marketplace.

Among other things, the proposed regulations require annual criminal background checks and mandate that ridesharing services adhere to a zero tolerance policy on the use of illegal drugs. Individuals who have been convicted of fraud, sexual offenses, use of a motor vehicle to commit a felony, or acts of violence will not be permitted to be ride-share drivers. Annual reviews of driving records will be conducted. Ride-share drivers will be required to adhere to Michigan’s auto no-fault insurance law and ride-sharing companies, like Uber, will be required to maintain a business automobile excess liability insurance policy with a combined single limit of $1,000,000.00 for each and every occurrence of bodily injury or property damage. All drivers’ vehicles will be required to have an annual safety inspection.

Here again we are hardly alone in our decision to adopt regulations specific to ride-sharing. California and Colorado have both done so and cities across the country, including Washington, D.C., Minneapolis, Baton Rouge, Seattle and Detroit have all authorized ride-sharing services to operate under new regulations for a new business model.

By embracing innovation and adapting to changing technology and expectations, we’ve been able to bring a new transportation option to our region, while ensuring the safety of passengers and our communities.