Taxi, Uber drivers meet to discuss revised ordinance

El Paso taxi drivers want Uber to “play by the rules.” Tension continues to build in the transportation industry as the City of El Paso explores how to regulate both. A meeting was held Thursday to get input.

Taxi drivers say Uber should be regulated like other transportation companies, but the problem is, these “transportation network companies” like Uber and Lyft, say they exist not to provide rides, but to put passengers in touch with drivers. They insist their product is the phone app that makes that connection, not the ride itself.

Taxi drivers say regardless of how they’re classified, they both serve the same purpose, and it’s unfair that they pay thousands of dollars for inspections and background checks in order to operate, while Uber drivers aren’t held to the same standards. The city hopes they’ll gain better insight at these meetings to create a revised ordinance to include Uber and Lyft by February of next year.

The meeting held Thursday evening was civil, but both sides did not hesitate to voice their opinions. Taxi drivers argued Ubers should be marked so enforcement officers can cite them for violations just like taxis. Uber drivers argued that’s part of the attraction to Ubers–they have to be sleek, clean and well-maintained to get good reviews. Taxi drivers also argued Uber drivers should be required to go through the same vetting process–background checks, city inspections and safety training. The two sides disagreed on much but did agree the time for change is now.

“Cab companies should be more like Uber, where all you gotta do is have the app on your phone. If you need to call somebody, just push the app and and push the button and there you go. They should be there within the half hour or so,” Uber driver Jacob Ramirez said.

“They’re basically breaking the law. So what if I stopped doing everything I’m supposed to continue to do? Do you think the city would let me operate tomorrow? Probably not,” Sun City Cab Company driver Ivan Garza said.

A revised ordinance will be created next February. Meanwhile, two other meetings will be held.

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 13th at noon at the Armijo Library at 620 E. Seventh Ave. Another will be held later that afternoon at 5 P.M at the Clardy Fox Library at 5515 Robert Alva. Meetings are open to the public.