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Council Postpones Action On Ride-Sharing Services

Lexington’s Urban County Council did not take action on proposed regulations for ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft this week.

But proponents and opponents of the companies did get a chance to sound off.

The debate that has pitted traditional taxi companies against new smartphone-based ride-sharing services continued in Lexington this week after the council decided to postpone any action on the issue.

Bluegrass Cab general manager Don Daugherty argued that ride-sharing companies want to have it both ways, providing taxi-like services but avoiding the regulations placed on taxis.

"Their drivers use the taxi stand that is located on Short Street that is labeled for taxi cabs only, yet they claim they're not taxis. Their drivers line up at every major bar and nightclub in town on Friday and Saturday night, yet they claim they are not a taxi company," Daughtery charged. 

Uber general manager for the Kentucky and Ohio region James Ondrey shot back at the statement, saying the two business models can coexist.

"We're talking about transportation alternatives. In no city in which Uber and Lyft operate do taxis fail to exist. We're simply adding efficiency to the transportation system in those cities," he argued.

For now, city leaders have decided to hold off on regulating ride-sharing until a Lexington ordinance governing taxis is amended. The state is also expected to announce new regulations placing taxi regulations on ride-sharing next month.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.
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