Could ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft be coming to the Twin Cities?
Maybe. Just maybe. At least on the Texas side of town.
This week the Texas state House of Representatives and Senate agreed on statewide rules regulating services like those offered by the two companies. The new rules would override any local regulations.
The bill requires such services to have a state license and pay an annual fee-who didn't see that coming? It also requires local, state and national criminal background checks on all drivers, but falls short of requiring them to be fingerprinted as required by some cities such as Austin, where the services had been operating. Both Uber and Lyft stopped operating in Austin when the fingerprinting regulations came into effect, saying it was burdensome.
The legislation was meant to address the two companies' concerns over myriad of local regulations by establishing a set of standards that would apply statewide.
The bill now goes to the governor. No word on whether he intends to sign it.
He should. Most other states have adopted uniform rules and that has led to expansion of such services in those states. It is hoped if the bill becomes law the companies would expand across Texas-including Texarkana.
But will they? That will be up to the services. If they see opportunity, no doubt they will come. That will mean options for passengers and potential drivers.
Stay tuned.