Judge Rules Boston Must Change Regulations For Taxis, Ride-Hailing Services
BOSTON (CBS) -- The city of Boston has six months to comply with a judge's order to come up with a plan to regulate ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft, and explain why the court should not issue an injunction barring the companies from operating.
Read: Judge's Order On Ride-Hailing Regulations
Cab drivers filed suit last year seeking the injunction as well as financial costs because city officials failed to enforce existing hackney regulations on the services they say operate in a similar manner.
"It has cut into my business at least 35 percent over the last few years," said cab driver Jim Christy who says he doesn't have enough money to do some needed upholstery repairs in his cab.
"We're hoping this increases public safety and levels the playing field for taxi owners," said attorney Jenifer Pinkham who represents the plaintiffs in the case.
There are 1,825 medallions in Boston that cab drivers say are losing their value as many opt for the convenience of an app-driven business to get rides.
"As TNCs (Transportation Network Companies) become more prevalent and their existing operational structure becomes an ingrained segment of the transportation-for-hire market, amending the existing regulatory structure to address TNCs becomes mandatory," wrote federal judge Nathaniel Gorton.
"They do the same work picking up people, they should be regulated like we are," said cab driver Marckinson Charles.
Some passengers say they see both sides of the issue.
"You can't argue the convenience, if anything cabs have to be more innovative, maybe get their own app," said one passenger at South Station.
Jim Christy is willing to share the road, but only if it's equal with his often unmarked competition.
"Let's livery up and mark up. Pay your fair share and there will be enough business for everyone," said Christy.
Mayor Marty Walsh denies the city has been dragging its feet on the issue and says he's been waiting for legislation to regulate ride-hailing services.
"As far as putting everyone on a level playing field that's a good move, that's what we should look for."
An Uber spokeswoman says the company is focused on the efforts on Beacon Hill hoping for a bill the company can support, rather than piecemeal regulations from one community to another.