Proposed ordinance would reduce Uber, taxi regulations
New rules could soon pave the way for Uber to more easily operate in Des Moines.
The City Council will discuss new vehicle-for-hire regulations Monday morning that could significantly loosen restrictions on taxicabs, limousines and app-based ride-sharing services.
Changes would remove limits on the number of vehicles that operate in the city and eliminate the practice of issuing individual hack licenses to drivers.
"We will no longer control the number of vehicles that are on the road," city traffic engineer Jennifer McCoy said.
The city currently issues licenses to individual vehicles and drivers. Each company must also receive a local license to operate.
Uber and city officials have been at odds over the rules since the company launched its service in Des Moines last fall. The San Francisco-based company has ignored the regulations, calling them outdated and inapplicable to their service.
McCoy said a new ordinance — which could be voted on later this month — would require companies to receive a license to operate in the city. Each company would be responsible for conducting its own criminal background and driving history checks on potential drivers.
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Companies would submit an annual report, including the number of vehicles operating per month, complaints received and how they were addressed and the locations of service.
They would also be required to provide a list of driver names and contact information.
Uber officials have previously objected to sharing driver information with the city, citing concerns about privacy and industry competition.
Des Moines officials said many details in the draft ordinance were inspired by Iowa City, which is expected to adopt a similar set of rules Monday.
Simon Andrew, an Iowa City administrative analyst, said the city modified its transportation ordinance to accommodate Uber. "It's written expressly with the thought that their business model would be able to operate in the city," he said.
The company has not yet launched its service in Iowa City. It contacted city officials there in the fall to voice interest in expanding in the community.
"We had a series of phone calls, meetings and email exchanges with Uber representatives," Andrew said.
The approach is in contrast with Uber's launch in Des Moines, where city officials initially opposed the company, citing a lack of communication and cooperation with local laws.
Since moving into the Des Moines market, Uber also started operating in Cedar Rapids in December.
McCoy said all ride-for-hire drivers in Des Moines will be expected to have a Class D chauffeur license as state law requires.
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She said the new ordinance would allow the city to audit any transportation company operating in the city. Otherwise, no new enforcement measurements are planned.
"Right now our enforcement is basically complaint based," she said. "The only other option would be hiring a full-time person for enforcement and we'd have to increase fees for the companies in order to fund that."
City Council work session
WHAT: The Des Moines City Council will discuss proposed rule changes that ease restrictions on taxis, limousines and other ride-sharing services operating in the city.
WHEN: 7:30 a.m. Monday
WHERE: City Hall, 400 Robert D. Ray Drive
MORE: Find a full copy of the proposed rule changes with this story online at DesMoinesRegister.com.