On Sept. 19, the California Public Utilities Commission took action to ensure public safety by approving regulations that would monitor the operation of transportation services that use mobile apps to connect passengers with drivers who use personal, non-commercial vehicles.
The transportation services—known as ridesharing companies—partner drivers with passengers willing to pay to carpool and share a car journey as a means of transportation. Although some of these businesses take up to 20 percent of each fare, the ridesharing companies do not employ the drivers, but only provide a platform to help facilitate the rides for passengers.
In a press release issued by the CPUC the commission stated that the creation of the new business category, “transportation network companies,” will have certain safety requirements that will apply to any operations that “provide prearranged transportation services for compensation using an online-enabled application (app) or platform to connect passengers with drivers using their personal vehicles.”
Some of the regulations the CPUC established for drivers include mandatory background checks for criminal conduct, a zero-tolerance policy on drugs and alcohol and a special license through the utilities commission.
In recent years, ridesharing has become a popular alternative to public transportation across the state. Passengers can quickly and easily download a smartphone app, input their location, request a destination and have a ride available in seconds.
SideCar, a ridesharing company founded in 2012 in San Francisco, currently provides services in more than 10 cities and just launched its operations in San Diego on Sept. 6.
SideCar Vice President of Communications Margaret Ryan said San Diego has a large demand for ridesharing.
“San Diego had the highest ride requests than any other city outside of where we operate,” Ryan said. “The Gaslamp District has great nightlife but getting there is difficult if you don’t have a car and parking is scarce. Areas like Pacific Beach are also difficult to access if you don’t want to drive. Sidecar is a great option for students because it’s a convenient, reliable and affordable way to get around the city.”
Although the new regulations provide obligatory safety requirements, not everyone shares in the enthusiasm of this growing business. San Diego State psychology senior Caroline Currie expressed her concern about ridesharing.
“I’d feel very uncomfortable waiting on a ride for someone I don’t know, who also knows my locations and where I want to go,” Gomez said.
Kinesiology senior Arianna Gomez also shared Currie’s sentiments.
“I probably wouldn’t use the ridesharing service because even with regulations, you never know who you can pick you up,” Gomez said. “It just seems unsafe.”
