NYC Taxis Regulating Uber

Uber drivers and their supporters protest in front of the offices of the Taxi and Limousine Commission in New York, Thursday, May 28, 2015. Uber and Lyft are pushing back against a New York City effort to regulate app-based car services. The proposal before the Taxi and Limousine Commission would require car services that riders can summon with their phones to comply with many of the rules that govern the yellow cabs they compete with. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

(Seth Wenig)

Sen. James Seward

ALBANY, N.Y. -- The New York State Senate approved Friday a bill that would allow Uber and Lyft to expand service to Upstate New York, but the Assembly is not expected to pass the same legislation.

The Senate voted 44 to 17 to approve Sen. James Seward's bill, with many downstate senators voting against it because they said the bill did not include regulations requiring transportation network companies to fingerprint drivers or ensure vehicles would be accessible to people with disabilities.

New York City is the only place where Uber and Lyft can legally offer their cell phone app-based transportation service to riders.

The state Assembly has a bill pending that also would allow these companies to operate in Upstate New York, but the Assembly measure requires much higher auto insurance coverage for the drivers.

Uber and Lyft have said the Assembly bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Kevin Cahill, would preclude them from operating Upstate because the costs would be too high.

"This is a one house bill," Sen. Liz Krueger, D-Manhattan, said in voting against the bill.

State lawmakers have come under heavy lobbying from taxi industry associations and companies who oppose allowing Uber and Lyft to expand Upstate and compete with them. There's also been intense lobbying by Uber and Lyft.

Seward, R-Milford, whose district includes Cortland and Cayuga counties, said Upstate residents deserve to have the same transportation options that New York City residents have.

"There's a great deal of community demand for these services. Many mayors, county executives and local officials are clamoring for this, for this business model, for this option to be brought to their communities," he said. "Those of us who reside outside the city of NY all we are asking is for the opportunity to have this business model brought to our communities."

He noted that the bill allows local communities to impose whatever regulations they want on the transportation network companies, including the fingerprinting of drivers and handicapped accessible vehicles.

Upstate communities are able to impose the same regulations they already have for taxi companies that provide service there, he said.

Sen. Jose Peralta said that Senate bill would leave Upstate residents without protection from Uber and Lyft drivers, who have been accused of committing assaults against passengers in New York City and other states.

"Iam all for Uber coming outside of New York City," said Peralta, D-Queens. "But let's level the playing field. Letas make sure we regulate. Letas make sure we mandate background checks and fingerprinting."

Sen. Marc Panepinto, a Democrat from Buffalo, was one of the few Upstate senators to vote against the bill. He said he could not support it because of concerns about passenger safety, handicapped accessibility and no requirement that Uber and Lyft drivers be covered by worker's compensation insurance.

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