New Ride-Sharing Law To Affect Atlanta’s Regulation Of Cabs
A new state law that regulates ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft will also affect how the city of Atlanta deals with taxicabs.
The city of Atlanta used to issue permits for taxicabs through its police department. But the new state law will change that. Now, cabs and ride-sharing services will be issued state credentials. The city also loses the power to inspect taxicabs.
“Their safety and maintenance records and standards will be set and enforced by the state, so that’s now going to be under state jurisdiction as opposed to the city of Atlanta,” says Keith Reed, a city spokesman.
Reed says another change will affect taxi fares. Until now, all taxis had to charge the same rates throughout the city as part of a fare schedule.
“The city will have the ability to set maximum rates that taxi drivers may charge, but if a cab company or taxi driver wants to set a lower rate they will have the ability to do that,” Reed says.
The Atlanta City Council still has to change its vehicle-for-hire ordinance to comply with the new state law, most of which goes into effect July 1. Supporters say the law makes sure all transportation-for-hire companies are regulated equally.
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