Taxi companies create petition concerning ride-sharing services

The topic of hired transportation has been a talking point with Palm Springs city leaders this summer, specifically with ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft operating at the city’s airport.

“They’re already operating at Palm Springs, at the airport,” Palm Springs Mayor Robert Moon. “It’s just that, they can’t pick up from the airport right now.”

But after city leaders discussed a potential contract with ride-sharing companies involving new possible background requirements, local taxi companies have started a petition, hoping to get the wheels rolling on safe riding for both services.

“I think we just wanted to gain support, and let the public know, especially those that may be Uber riders, let them know that these safety precautions have not taken place,” Yellow Cab of the Desert General Manager Michal Brock. “Those are the services they prefer, [and] do they also believe that these public safety measure be put into place.”

Since the petition went up on Monday, Brock said more than 120 signatures have been collected so far, as Moon said city staff will prepare to hopefully discuss the topic of ride-sharing companies at an upcoming meeting.

“A common misconception is that the taxi cab industry is afraid to compete,” Brock said. “That is surely not the case. We’re more than willing to compete. We just believe that public safety should not be compromised in the meantime.”

In a statement, an Uber spokesperson said, “The residents of the Coachella Valley have voiced their strong support for uberX pick-ups at the the Palm Springs Airport and we continue to talk to the City Council to share the way ride-sharing has worked in airports across the nation.”

The spokesperson also said almost 3,000 signatures have been gathered in favor of ride-sharing companies operating at the airport.

Brock said she hopes to collect 3,000 to 5,000 signatures.

City leaders said they hope to discuss the topic again in a meeting in October.