Most consumers say TNCs should ride by the rules

Consumers want TNCs to abide by the same rules and regulations as the limousine and taxi industries, according to survey results released March 7, 2017, by the National Limousine Association (NLA).

The Harris Poll survey of 2,186 U.S. adults age 18 and older — commissioned by the NLA — conducted from Feb. 27 to March 1, reveals the following:

• 92% of consumers believe ride-hailing service drivers should be subject to the same level of background checks as taxi and limo drivers.
• 79% of consumers believe ride hailing service companies should have to operate under the same guidelines as taxis and limo companies.
• 71% believe car service drivers should be limited in the number of hours they can drive per week.“As this survey clearly illustrates, the vast majority of consumers believe ride-hailing service drivers are indeed employees, and are entitled to the benefits required by federal labor laws,” said Scott Solombrino, an NLA board director and CEO of Dav El/ BostonCoach Chauffeured Transportation Network.

The NLA’s non-profit Ride Responsibly campaign has called for increased safety regulations specifically pertaining to ride-hailing drivers. Additionally, Ride Responsibly has long called for fair labor standards for all ground transportation drivers, advocating for their proper classification as employees and not independent contractors.“The NLA welcomes all innovation in the ground transportation field and the technologies being used by the TNCs have revolutionized our industry,” NLA President Gary Buffo said. „As the results of this survey demonstrate, Americans agree technology is not an excuse to ignore rules and regulations in place to protect the best interests of our country. It has become increasingly clear TNCs’ businesses models are based on circumvention, using technology as an excuse for breaking the law,” comments LCT Magazine. wf