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Low-speed vehicles in downtown Tampa are just a City Council vote away from happening

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

Back in 2008, people in Tampa could hop little six-seat electronic carts to travel between downtown, Ybor City, Channelside and SoHo to get around the city. They were popular, accessible and free – and were promptly shut down by the Hillsborough County Public Transportation in 2009. The agency concluded that the cars were the equivalent to unlicensed taxicabs and nixed them. Citizens complained that the move was done to protect the cab companies. However, those Low Speed Vehicles (LSV) look poised…

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Hillsborough PTC Executive Director (and ride-sharing critic) says he met with Palm Beach County Commissioners as a “resource”

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

In recent weeks, agents with the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission (PTC) have resumed citing Uber and Lyft drivers for being out of compliance with the agency’s regulations. And after the Florida Legislature failed once again to address insurance and background regulations regarding such ridesharing companies earlier this  year, the PTC conducted an initial workshop last month to begin creating a new regulatory framework that applies equally to both Uber and Lyft, as well as the existing taxicab industry. PTC executive director Kyle Cockream has…

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Uber legislation finally flames out

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

A compromise between Republican lawmakers and ride-hailing firms like Uber was on thin ice Friday afternoon as Session raced to a close, until finally, the bill hit a brick wall. Sen. David Simmons, the Senate Rules Chair, had worked on the bill (SB 1118) for months. It would have mandated minimum commercial insurance requirements for drivers with Uber and similar app-based companies, known as “transportation network companies” in Capitol-ese. The House — which favors a more Uber-friendly approach — passed its own bill (HB 509) last…

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Victor Crist hints at “radical” move in Hillsborough if Legislature doesn’t act on Uber, Lyft

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

It’s a new year, but the issue remains at Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission: What to do about Transportation Network Companies (TNC) Uber and Lyft that continue to operate outside of the agency’s rules. That prompted Commission Chairman Victor Crist to threaten on Wednesday a radical solution if the Legislature doesn’t act this Legislative Session. “If they don’t fix it within the next 60 days, we will here,” he warned. “You may or may not like our fix. But this is not going…

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Steve Crisafulli advocates for ride-sharing legislation in opening-day speech

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

Opening the 2016 Legislative Session Tuesday, Speaker Steve Crisafulli listed the priorities that he expects the House to focus on in 2016. That included an endorsement of Gov. Rick Scott‘s goal of cutting taxes by $1 billion, something that Senate members have expressed discomfort with. He also put in a good word for legislation that would regulate ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft. “Let’s put the free market to work for Florida families,” he said in his speech. “Let’s cut red tape…

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Jeff Brandes wants a legal opinion of Hillsborough PTC’s lobbying efforts

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

Jeff Brandes is taking another shot at the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission — this time over the fact that the PTC has hired a lobbyist. The St. Petersburg based state Senator has been calling for the demise of the agency for several years now, in part for their attempts to regulate ride-sharing companies Uber and Lyft. Now he wants Attorney General Pam Bondi to review the statutes governing the agency to determine if thy are lawfully permitted to spend…

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Pam Bondi goes to Nevada

Drawing on lessons learned after a nightclub massacre last year in Orlando, Attorney General Pam Bondi and members of her

Matt Gaetz files Uber preemption bill

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

Fort Walton Beach Republican Matt Gaetz has filed legislation in the Florida House (HB 509) that would put ensure that Transportation Network Companies (TNC) like Uber and Lyft aren’t regulated like taxi companies. The bill would requires any representative for a TNC to obtain a permit from the state of Florida and pay an annual fee of $5,000. It would also pre-empt any local government from attempting to regulate such companies. “A county, municipality, special district, airport authority, port authority or other…

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