In May of 2015 Uber formally came to Everett.
Everett is working to level the playing field on for-hire services.
Since that time the City of Everett has been working on leveling the playing field between traditional taxi companies and TNCs (Transportation Network Companies or rideshares like Uber and Lyft).
Taxi companies and drivers complained the TNCs were operating without the same protections they had to offer riders.
For more than a year the issue has been debated in and around the City of Everett. In February of this year the Everett City Council held a public hearing and a third and final reading on a proposed ordinance.
At that hearing many taxi drivers testified that there was still too great a disparity between their rules and those for TNCs.
Issues of concern included:
- Difference in insurance coverage required between taxis and TNCs when there are no passengers aboard
- The ability to flag down a TNC like you would a cab
- TNCs operating in Everett since May of 2015 without any license requirement enforcement
- How old a vehicle must be to operate. Should it be years or miles on the road?
Everett City Council members also said they had amendments they were proposing along with some changes by city staff.
Given all of the change, the council voted to send the proposed ordinance back to the Public Safety Committee that has been studying the issue.
The committee and city administration worked to hammer out all of the new amendments and changes.
They then put action on hold while waiting for possible State legislation that might affect Everett’s ordinance. Since the State did not act during the regular session, tonight the ordinance is back for full council consideration, a public hearing and a vote.
MyEverettNews.com will let you know what happens.
April 19, 2017
Everett Government