LAFAYETTE, LA (AP) — The Lafayette City-Parish Council is considering new regulations to require Uber and similar companies to do regular background checks on contract drivers, inspect vehicles and carry insurance above and beyond what state law requires for drivers.
The Advocate’s Richard Burgess reports the new regulations were introduced at Tuesday's council meeting and are up for a final vote on Aug. 18.
Uber, a popular taxi-like service that connects riders with contract drivers through a smartphone app, launched in Lafayette in January.
Officials say a key concern as the service gains a foothold in the state is that Uber is not subject to the same safety regulations as taxi services, and up until now, Uber has been operating in a regulatory gray area in Lafayette.
