Poll: Should the State Regulate Uber?

The Uber debate has hit the state capitol as the start-up ride service clashes with the highly-regulated livery industry.

Dozens of Uber drivers and traditional cabbies and dispatchers testified at the General Assembly’s Transportation Committee.

Taxi drivers generally contend that their business, which is highly-regulated, is under assault by Uber and that they are losing business, according to the Hartford Courant.

Uber drivers said that the service provides convenience and accountability. Uber sets up a network of vehicles and independent drivers with their own vehicles pick-up customers.

Fares, which vary depending on driver availability and usage, are paid through an app.

The debate over background checks, fare and insurance requirements is playing out across many states in the country. State Rep. Tony Guerrera, D-Rocky Hill and co-chairman of the transportation committee said that it is likely that the state will eventually place regulations on background checks and insurance requirements in the future, according to the Connecticut Mirror.

Metro Taxi owner Bill Scalzi said as it stands Uber is breaking the law while his company is in compliance, according to the Connecticut Mirror. It takes him about seven months to get permission to add a cab to his fleet.

It will be one of the busiest years for the transportation committee, which will have to deal with questions on Uber, the possibility of bringing tolls back to the state and whether to allow car companies to sell directly to consumers.

Read the full Courant story here.

Read the full Mirror story here.

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