Miami-Dade County Commission moves forward with ride-sharing ordinance

Uber threatens to suspend services in county if proposed legislation passes

MIAMI – Miami-Dade County commissioners voted to move forward with an ordinance Wednesday that enforce stricter regulations for ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft.

Commission Chairman Jean Monestime has put forth legislation requiring all transportation network drivers to hold higher limit commercial insurance at all times. The new legislation also calls for county background checks for all drivers.

"We believe that it's critically important that we pass legislation today that begins the dialogue of creating a space for Uber and Lyft to operate in the market," Commissioner Esteban Bovo said. "As you know, many of you have used it today, if not recently. Uber and Lyft operate illegally right now in our market. That has to stop."

Uber is fighting back, even putting up an advertisement saying the chairman wants to take away safe, reliable transportation in Miami-Dade County. 

"The fact is that the Uber and Lyft have been operating illegally and have been robbing the poor taxi drivers of Miami-Dade County for a year and a half," a taxi driver said.

Uber has said that if the new regulations were to be adopted, it will suspend services in Miami-Dade County. Commissioners maintained that they want ride-sharing services in the country, so long as it is done legally.

"Let's see how we could create a better competitive space for the taxi industry without harming the Uber model," Bovo said.