[seanD]

Here's why it won't happen, it came up back when the airports were being discussed. There are over 40000 rideshare drivers in Chicago, maybe more now. The city has even admitted they don't have the manpower or resources to deal with licensing that many drivers.

 

[veblenrules]

how do taxi drivers who speak almost no English pass all these tests and overcome all these hurdles?

Have you ever heard of ringers? The city doesn't do enough to clear the streets of drivers who don't actually have city chauffeur's licenses. That's why occasionally you'll see cabs and some limos split from airport staging areas like bats out of Hell when they see the enforcers going from car to car. It doesn't happen enough.

 

[veblenrules]

If indeed this legislation does come to fruition Uber will be required to change its pricing policy and charge the riders the same rates as cabs. They WILL also have to add a tipping feature and admit to their riders that they have been lying all along that a tip was included in the fare. Also pooling will have to be abolished. If we, as drivers, are required to obtain Chauffeurs licenses then we should have a LEVEL PLAYING FIELD equal to that of cabs and livery. Of course Uber is protesting this, its a serious threat to their entire platform. By the way last night I had an Uber pool, that took a little over an hour, 18 miles of driving over city streets (no freeway) and the total of that fare was $30, before of course the safe rides fee, the city tax and Uber's cut is deducted. Each passenger paid $15 for a one hour trip. What the hell am I doing.

If Uber drivers are required to have city chauffeur licenses the operating costs for ride share vehicles will still be much lower than for cabs. If a ride share driver has enough sense to operate a car that costs less than $10,000 and is already spending a lot less for liability insurance you could raise ride share rates by 25% and Chicago Uber rates would still be 25% less than taxis.

 

[Uguy22]

I have a chauffeur license.

In order to get it, you need to pass the city knowledge test. That includes streets, landmarks, hotels, hospitals and even highways throughout metro chicago area.

After that you need to pass background check, fingerprinting. Physical, drug test. Also need to get debt clearance from city of chicago.

Overall not a bad idea.. will weed out a lot of amateurs and create mega surges for the rest of us

I might even come back to do uber full time.

Yep I estimate that Uber will loose 50% of his fleet of underpaid partners...

 

[Black Excellence]

That's why occasionally you'll see cabs and some limos split from airport staging areas like bats out of Hell when they see the enforcers going from car to car. It doesn't happen enough.

Is that why some of those taxis decide to hang out near the rideshare lot at ORD?

Nothing more annoying than seeing those guys do u-turn by the exit as we're on our way from the penalty box trying to pick up PAX.

 

[Body Politic]

I don't see why requiring a Chauffeur License will be a problem for rideshare.

How about because it's a useless, pointless, navel-gazing bureaucratic hoop for working people to jump through and there are already too many of those in Chicago/Illinois.

 

[Body Politic]

If indeed this legislation does come to fruition Uber will be required to change its pricing policy and charge the riders the same rates as cabs. They WILL also have to add a tipping feature and admit to their riders that they have been lying all along that a tip was included in the fare. Also pooling will have to be abolished...

Why?

 

[Cityrush90]

Just because ridesharing companies may require a chaffeur license does not guarantee that rates will increase because there are fewer drivers. Uber has already made extensive pay cuts, why would they be obligated to retreat back to paying drivers similar rates from the start up days when it is now a multi BILLION dollar company. Lol they received what they came for. Sorry, but the good old days of surging out are long gone.

 

[AllenChicago]

Have you ever heard of ringers? The city doesn't do enough to clear the streets of drivers who don't actually have city chauffeur's licenses. That's why occasionally you'll see cabs and some limos split from airport staging areas like bats out of Hell when they see the enforcers going from car to car. It doesn't happen enough.

I haven't heard of "ringers" in the context you're using, veblenrules. Still learning all the rideshare terminologies. Thanx!

 

[UberKim]

What they should consider is abolishing the requirement that cab drivers must have a chauffeur's license. Or simplify the entire course, reduce the cost, and just focus on the Geographic's of the downtown. But then again the only way your ever going to truly understand how to get around downtown is to drive down there for four months straight. Then you'll figure out all the one way streets, upper and lower drives, short cuts, construction zones, and any other nuances which will make you more efficient. No test or certification can or will ever substitute for the experience.

But to jam up traffic around city hall over an ordinance that is highly unlikely to pass is ridiculous. I'm pretty neutral regarding the Mayor but this seems like a slap in the face to his office. He has bent over backwards to accommodate Rideshare and he's done it at great political risk and cost. For them to try to rally drivers to put on some sort of media show is really a slap in the face to the Mayor and the Drivers.

John

it is likely to pass. if yu would read the actual TNP ordinance, it states that a "restricted Chauffeur License" for Class A and Class B TNP companies take only a one day class, and the companies themselves can teach them. It still requires a fingerprint background check, a physical and a drug test... this license is different than the one the cab and limo drivers take...

 

[Chicago88]

NYC already has this law in place. Uber NYC drivers must be licensed by the city for driving ride share, it absolutely makes sense. The worst drivers on the road today are not cab drivers - they are Uber drivers! Crazy U-turns, running reds, double parking on single lane streets, etc... Almost always an Uber driver, I drive the city and this is my experience.

BTW NYC also has the highest Uber rates in the nation (if not the world) thereby giving the drivers a far far better income (including the insurance cost that drivers bare).

 

[Black Excellence]

BTW NYC also has the highest Uber rates in the nation (if not the world) thereby giving the drivers a far far better income (including the insurance cost that drivers bare).

So, I mean, something's gotta give in Chicago then. I've read Chicago's rates are the lowest in the nation.

We should really be pushing for better rates if there's going to be all this licensing and certification. It makes zero sense to continue to make the same money when NYC has this licensing and makes considerably more.

Most don't agree with me about employee status, which I get (yet still disagree with). But to pass up a chance to implore Uber give us better rates in this situation is asinine.

 

[Reddy]

This article makes sense and I agree with it. I always tell people that the one thing Rideshare has demonstrated is how outdated the Taxi business model is and how over regulated it is.

http://www.chicagonow.com/city-limi...y-limits/2016/03/taxi-lobby-funding-fuels-chicago-push-to-shackle-uber-drivers/

Rideshare On!

 

[Reddy]

it is likely to pass. if yu would read the actual TNP ordinance, it states that a "restricted Chauffeur License" for Class A and Class B TNP companies take only a one day class, and the companies themselves can teach them. It still requires a fingerprint background check, a physical and a drug test... this license is different than the one the cab and limo drivers take...

It failed!

I think there is a middle ground. Loosen up some of the antiquated and restrictive rules and regulations on Taxi's and then tighten up a few things on the Rideshare side. Your correct though I should read the whole ordinance. If it's only one day and the cost is minimal then maybe not so bad. Rideshare companies should pick up the cost though. It's not like we're rolling in the dough.

 

[veblenrules]

So how big was the Uber demonstration at City Hall?

 

[ChicagoHeat12]

The last thing I would ever do is protest with Uber about anything.

You may reconsider. Alderman Beale, chairman of Transportation Committee, introduced an ordinance today requiring ride share drivers to obtain a chauffeurs license, city vehicle inspection and cars no older than 6 years. He has 30 co-sponsors, 4 more than needed for passage over the Mayor's objections if it comes to a vote. Now let that sink in.

 

[Body Politic]

You may reconsider. Alderman Beale, chairman of Transportation Committee, introduced an ordinance today requiring ride share drivers to obtain a chauffeurs license, city vehicle inspection and cars no older than 6 years. He has 30 co-sponsors, 4 more than needed for passage over the Mayor's objections if it comes to a vote. Now let that sink in.

Yeah, I ain't reconsidering shit unless Uber is willing to offer something to drivers in return for their unflapping loyalty and devotion. Otherwise, Uber asking drivers to stand by them no matter what is like asking an abused wife to stand by her abusive husband no matter what. If Uber doesn't intend to offer anything in return for drivers' help in this fight, fukk'em. Let 'em choke.

 

[MrPincushion]

I understand not wanting to defend Uber, but what about your income?

 

[Chicago-uber]

I understand not wanting to defend Uber, but what about your income?

What income?

 

[ckvlasity85]

Yep, what the above said. If this was a full time thing for me, ID go deliver pizzas. More money