DATE: November 14, 2014
CONTACT: Kimberly Maroe, Public Information Manager
Broward County Commission
PHONE: 954-357-8053
EMAIL: kmaroe@broward.org

BROWARD COUNTY, FL - Broward County Commissioners have requested a cease and desist letter be sent to the so-called vehicle for hire service known as Uber and others who have similar operations. 

After a lengthy discussion and public testimony that included taxicab drivers, Commissioners are seeking more information and plan to schedule a future workshop. 

Two of the so-called ride share companies, Uber and Lyft, have been operating in Broward County since August.  

The companies use an internet application to match up drivers in private vehicles to customers who are seeking transportation.  Collectively, these services are referred to as transportation network companies and are not regulated by the County and are not in compliance with the motor carrier ordinance which requires oversight over insurance, inspections, criminal background checks and licensing.

“We are a technology company. We are an application that you’re able to download and we connect riders all over the world.  We don’t employ any of the drivers. We operate in over two hundred cities,” said David Barmore, a member of Uber’s Public Policy Team. "In the past six months, fourteen cities have introduced new transportation network company ordinances that encompass our technology.  So I hope that we can begin the process and that Uber and our partner drivers have a seat at the table to continue this dialogue.” 
 
“I am a big consumer advocate. I think there’s so much information that we need to have before we can move to the next conversation,” noted Commissioner Lois Wexler.  “At some point we need someone from Uber to sit at the table with us, someone from Yellow Cab so that we can learn more.   We need a workshop type setting.”

Commissioners voiced concerns about consumer safety, accountability and surge pricing, where prices change throughout the day depending on demand.  The Board also questioned how these types of companies fit in with current cab services, which are licensed and regulated. 

“So would it be fair to say that your business model for Uber is to come into a community and begin operating without permits or licenses in violation of the law?” questioned Vice Mayor Tim Ryan. 

“It is my job  to reach some sort of agreement with you so that we don't have to have partners receiving citations, but until an agreement is made, we will continue,” said Uber’s Barmore. 

Currently, Broward County has issued 117 citations against Uber.  Broward Commissioners directed the County Attorney’s office to issue a cease and desist letter to Uber, further investigate how such companies operate in other areas and asked staff to coordinate a workshop to bring all parties to the table for further discussion at a future date.
 
"I believe that at the end of the day, the County is going to have to learn how to work with Uber.  They're not going away.  The platform isn't going away, and I would like to see us go to a workshop.  I'd like to have representatives from all of the interested stakeholders, not just the Yellow Cab company and Uber, but consumers too, “said Commissioner Stacy Ritter.