RI Uber Drivers Warn That “Criminal Drivers” From MA Are Invading

GoLocal has been told by Rhode Island-based Uber drivers that Massachusetts' stringent background check requirements for Uber and Lyft drivers are sending hundreds if not thousands of Massachusetts drivers heading to Rhode Island to drive.

Last week, the Commonwealth’s regulatory agency announced that 62,000 drivers were approved, but that over 8,200 failed the required background check. Those companies - Uber and Lyft - fall under the category of Transportation Network Companies (TNC).

The MA Department of Public Utilities, the regulatory agency, reported that of the rejected, 51 applications were sex offenders and 352 were rejected for incidents related to sex, abuse, and exploitation.

Rhode Island Uber drivers that spoke with GoLocal asked that their names not be used, for fear of reprisal. They said that many of the individuals with the worst criminal records in Massachusetts knew they would never pass a background check -- so those ones never even went through the review.

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Presently, there is functionally no state required and implemented background check for TNC drivers in Rhode Island. Companies such as Uber and Lyft have their own review standards, but many state regulators and law enforcement believe those are not stringent enough.

Tom Kogut of the RI Public Utilities Commission told GoLocal that the agency is in the midst of the process of developing regulations the would increase review, but it still falls far short of the Commonwealth’s standard that looks at all minor offenses going back seven years and an unlimited time period for more serious crimes.

The website whosdrivingyou.org keeps a running tally of violent crimes by drivers. Presently, the site reports 57 alleged assaults; 23 related deaths; 217 alleged sexual assaults; 10 kidnappings; and 17 felonies committed behind the wheel by drivers.

Related Slideshow: Uber vs. Taxi Experiences in Providence

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