I saw on the local news that the Chicago City Council is trying to regulate Uber and Lyft drivers by making them get a chauffeur's license (for a fee), be fingerprinted, etc. like a regular cab driver. I saw a councilman on the news today defending this move saying it's to protect the citizens of the city. I wonder if he's the same guy who was given a sizable contribution by the taxi lobby. In any case, this move is just another way for Chicago to shoot itself in the foot (pun intended) because if Uber and Lyft drivers are forced to adhere to these regulations, both companies say they'll pull out of the city entirely. Chicago doesn't need to lose any businesses right now. Hell, the city needs all the business it can get!
Many people have come to depend on Uber and Lyft to provide rides in places where local cabs won't. I have issues with gig economy jobs like Uber not providing benefits to their employees, but I don't fault these companies for providing services that consumers want and need. Anyone who's lived in an underserved area knows that getting a cab can sometimes be a problem. Hell, you don't even have to be in an underserved area. Cabs in Manhattan won't even take you to Brooklyn even though they're supposed to. So in comes ride services like Uber and Lyft to fill that gap. Cab companies have been behind the curve with the technological advancements companies like Uber and Lyft are utilizing and it's no surprise that those cab companies are being left in the dust. So if that cab driver doesn't want to drive you to the Bronx or Chicago's South Side? Screw that guy. Book a ride with someone who will drive you.
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