Taxi Cab Lobby Reacts to Bringing Ride-Sharing Companies Back

By: Erin Nichols Fox San Antonio The taxi cab lobby in San Antonio is pushing against the effort to bring back Uber and Lyft. A TV ad from the group "Texas Rides for Hire" is making some strong accusations against ride sharing companies. In the ad, the group says bringing the companies back would allow their drivers to operate without proper FBI background checks. "It's irresponsible to allow people to drive the public without a proper FBI background check," says retired Deputy Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Alonzo Pena in the ad. The video refers to the ten-point finger print background check. San Antonio city council decided to make that an optional security step for Lyft drivers. A step the taxi cab industry says their drivers go through. "This is about being transparent, about them being good corporate citizens, and following a set of public safety rules that are put in place to protect the consumer and public," said Yellow Cab San Antonio President John Bouloubasis. "There's no other issue about it." But Uber argues their rides are safe. Their drivers do go through state and federal background checks. In Uber's letter to Mayor Ivy Taylor, the company says by separately designating various forms of background checks, it misleads riders into thinking one driver is safer than another. Instead, they propose including that information on the Uber app, similar to Lyft's operating agreement. District 8 Councilman Ron Nirenberg believes increasing choice for transportation is vital. "I want to bring them both back," he said. "I think they need to and I think that eventually there will be enough public demand to do so." The taxi cabs want everyone on a level playing field. "Let's have fair competition," said Bouloubasis. "That's all we're asking for. You put your best 11, I'll put my best 11 and we'll play Sunday afternoon.