There is no guarantee an Uber/Lyft vehicle meets any independently set safety requirements beyond those a family car meets, has been properly inspected or that the owner of the vehicle is insured.
Column: Stay Safe By Avoiding Uber And LyftFor a taxi, the Philadelphia Parking Authority sets the safety and other standards for vehicles used as a taxi. The vehicles are inspected by the Authority twice annually. Authority approval is required to operate a vehicle as a taxi.
Taxi owners pay the cost of all these requirements, but Uber/Lyft services don’t because they operate illegally without oversight.
The Philadelphia Parking Authority also sets insurance levels sufficient to protect customers in case of accidents. There are no such requirements for Uber/Lyft.
UberX Operates Illegally In Philadelphia, What Does That Mean For Related Accidents?
Uber/Lyft services should be required to meet vehicle safety standards set by the Philadelphia Parking Authority and vehicles should be inspected just like taxis.
The Authority should also be required to set minimum insurance levels, terms and conditions and the Uber/Lyft driver should be the owner of the vehicle and the individual named on the insurance to avoid customer hassles with claims.
Existing taxi services can successfully compete with Uber and Lyft, but only on a level playing field. Right now the system is stacked against them as a result of state laws that are inadequate to regulate these new services.
Other 30 Second Fact Sheets In This Series
Uber/Lyft Cause Value Of Taxi Medallions To Drop Over 80% In Philadelphia
Do You REALLY Know Who's Driving You With Uber/Lyft?
Don't Leave Disabled Riders Behind
PUC Imposes Record Fine, But Uber Is Still Illegal In Philadelphia
Distributed On Behalf Of --
Pennsylvania Taxi AssociationContact: Danielle Friedman, General Counsel
