Taxi companies question ride sharing services at airport

UPDATE 7/13/16 8:15 a.m.

In a statement, an Uber spokesperson said, “Since our launch in April of 2014, we have been thrilled to offer safe and reliable transportation options in Palm Springs and the surrounding desert communities and look forward to continuing our work with the City of Palm Springs to bring those same options to residents and tourists arriving at PSP.”

———-

UPDATE: 6:10 p.m.

For seven years, Michal Brock has rode with many valley residents and visitors working at Yellow Cab of the Desert.

“We provide transportation to the public, and it’s a very important service that people have come to rely upon,” Brock said.

But now, she and her drivers said they’re driving home a new issue.

With transportation network companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft on the rise in Palm Springs, they said they now have questions on how their drivers are regulated compared to taxis.

Last week, Brock and other local taxi companies sent a letter to Palm Springs city leaders with concerns about the lack of fingerprint background checks and random alcohol and drug screening for drivers with TNCs.

“We as consumers rely upon our government to make sure a pilot hasn’t been drinking when they get on an airplane,” Brock said. “That’s what, as consumers, we reply upon the government for those safety measures. The taxi industry has regulation put in place to ensure that any type of safety issues are minimized.”

Meanwhile, city leaders said they’re working with TNCs on potential services at Palm Springs International Airport, hoping to make it a fair competition.

“This has been an issue that we’ve been looking at for some time,” Palm Springs City Manager David Ready said. “And there are several issues that we want to make sure that we have covered before we allow them to come to the airport.”

While those like Brock said they hope to have it fair and safe.

“So that we as a taxi industry can compete on a level playing field, and above all to make sure that our residents and our tourists are safe,” Brock said.

A spokesperson with Uber said the company is regulated, and conducts background checks set by the state.

Ready said while they can’t change background checks set by the state, they say their main priority will be talking about a certain type of insurance drivers must have, and where they can park at the airport.

Palm Springs city leaders said they will discuss a possible contract with TNCs in a meeting in August.

———-

ORIGINAL STORY: 3:47 p.m.

Local taxi companies are raising concerns over ride sharing services like Uber and Lyft operating at the Palm Springs International Airport.

Officials with local taxi companies said they are concerned about a lack of fingerprint background checks as well as drug and alcohol screening for drivers of companies such as Uber and Lyft.

Palm Springs City Manager David Ready said a meeting has been scheduled to talk about the concerns and possibly work out a new contract with the ride sharing companies.

Zak Dahlheimer is looking into the debate and he’ll have the full story for you tonight on KESQ at 5 p.m. and on CBS Local 2 at 6:30 p.m.