Concerns about the popular ride share service Uber leaving Lubbock has come up after the service officially left Austin. Lubbock City Council member, Karen Gibson, said council is working with Uber to ensure they will not leave Lubbock.
Gibson is working to pass a new transportation for hire services ordinance.
“You have to go with the times and figure out this is the way it’s going so what do we do with an antiquated ordinance,” said Gibson. “And how do we bring it up to today’s standards- from 1970’s to 2016.”
Austin voters voted against Proposition One, this weekend making it mandatory for the companies like Uber and Lyft to fingerprint their drivers.
“I think it’s very sad that they are pulling out of Austin,” Gibson said in response to Uber’s recent decision.
She said in Lubbock Uber drivers will be required to have a background check, but not be required to get finger printed.
“If they choose to do the fingerprinting they can,” said Gibson. “They do have to have to certify to us that they provide insurance for their drivers, do make sure their car is inspected, they do need background checks.”
As for taxi drivers who are wanting Uber drivers regulated Council member Gibson said this will help to level the playing field for services across the City.
“We have all worked together very well to make this a good ordinance to move Lubbock forward,” she said.
The next City Council meeting is Thursday and Gibson said she’s hopeful to pass the new ordinance.
