SAN ANTONIO — After nearly three hours of debate Thursday, the San Antonio City Council voted 7-2 to approve new rules for ride-share companies Uber and Lyft that provide service in the city.

Only council members Ron Nirenberg and Rey Saldana opposed the motion. Councilman Roberto Trevino, who assumed the District 1 seat earlier Thursday, abstained.

The new regulations, which include a 10-fingerprint background check and third-party inspections for ride-share vehicles, provide a pathway for the services to operate legally in the city but Uber has said the new regulations could close down the services.

An earlier motion by Councilman Nirenberg to delay a vote on the proposed new rules failed on a 7-3 vote.

Both cabbies and ride-share drivers packed into City Hall to weigh in on the regulations. The companies use smart-phone apps to connect nonprofessional drivers with others looking for a ride and are quickly expanding in metro areas around the country.

Some 60 people signed up to speak, the majority of whom indicated they support delaying a vote.

Though the ride-share companies had been asking for the council to bring the matter to a vote, they and their supporters have since been lobbying for a delay.

Over the summer, a task force constructed a set of recommendations on how to regulate ride-share companies. But after the task force completed its work, Police Chief William McManus made some significant changes to the recommendations.

The taxi industry demanded that the council move forward with a vote.

Uber and Lyft drivers and riders explained to the council how necessary the service is.

Some college students without cars rely on the companies while others say they're safe on the road and they have better insurance than taxicabs.

John Bouloubasis, president of Yellow Cab San Antonio, painted a different picture for the council.

He said the taxi industry is looking out for the public's safety by insisting that certain regulations be adopted but others disagree.

jbaugh@express-news.net

jmaccormack@express-news.net