Uber and Lyft say they’ll soon resume operations as early as this week in Broward County after Commissioners approved new regulations for transportation network companies designed to accommodate TNCs, expand transportation options and establish measures to protect the public.
The approved ordinance will require TNCs to certify to the county that they have conducted state and local driver background checks and performed vehicle inspections. All for hire vehicles are required to carry liability insurance that meets state standards or has been approved by a state insurance agency. The new law also stipulates that TNCs would not hire drivers convicted of criminal offenses of “moral turpitude” relating to sex crimes and a comprehensive list of specific violent felonies.
Under the new terms, the county will be able to conduct audits twice a year and perform random inspections of drivers and vehicles.
Commissioners also approved a separate agreement to establish fees and a vehicle monitoring system for passenger services at Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport and Port Everglades. The agreement charges $4.50 per pick up at the airport and $2.00 per pick up at the seaport.
In April, Broward became the first county in South Florida, and one of the first in the nation to develop an ordinance specifically regulating transportation network companies. Since then, numerous public meetings and discussions have taken place to develop a regulatory framework to accommodate TNCs and provide fair competition for the established taxicab industry.
Mayor Tim Ryan, Vice Mayor Marty Kiar, Commissioners Stacy Ritter, Chip LaMarca, Mark Bogen, and Beam Furr approved the TNC ordinance and Commissioners Lois Wexler and Dale V.C. Holness voted in opposition. Commissioner Barbara Sharief was not in attendance.
Uber representatives told Commissioners they could resume operations in Broward County as early as Thursday of this week. A Lyft representative said service would begin again, but did not specify a date. Transportation Network Companies use an internet application to match up passengers with drivers who operate their own vehicles to provide transportation.
The new ordinance will take effect once it is officially recorded into state records which generally takes about one week.
