Nevada improves permit for ridesharing company Lyft to operate in state

On Tuesday, the Nebraska Public Service Commission granted Lyft authority to operate as a transportation network company, a classification created by the Legislature in May in response to questions over how such companies should be regulated here. Taxi corporations have repeatedly raised these considerations of their opposition to the businesses, which permit individuals to hail a journey in somebody’s private automotive utilizing a smartphone. Lyft also will have a “safe rides” fee of $1.55.

It wasn’t immediately clear when the companies will be on the road in Nevada.

The county plans to introduce an ordinance Tuesday to provide a legal framework for licensing ride-hailing companies, but it could take several weeks to complete the process.

According to disclosures filed with the Secretary of State’s Office, more than $200,000 was spent on lobbying activities from January through June by Uber, Lyft and the New England Livery Association. She stated the corporate was in ongoing discussions with the county concerning the proposed ordinance.

Clark County spokesman Dan Kulin did not have fast remark Monday on the talks with ride-hailing corporations. The spending totals also don’t account for the tens of thousands of dollars being paid to lobbyists by insurance companies around the state that list the ride-for-hire regulatory proposals among the many insurance-related bills on which they are lobbying for or against.

Uber briefly operated in Nevada last fall, but a judge ultimately ordered it to stop because it wasn’t abiding by the laws governing taxis and limos.

It’s unclear when the two companies would begin operations but both were conferring with Clark County business license authorities Monday afternoon to try to get a local license that would allow drivers to start up as soon as they can. Among other things, the regulations that were adopted Friday call for an administrative fee to fund regulators and enforcement staff, and require a decal on cars working for ride-hailing companies. Amongst different complaints, they are saying the setup endangers passengers as a result of it does not require Uber or Lyft drivers to bear the pre-employment drug screening that applies to taxi drivers.

They argued that with the in-app review function, every ride serves as a sobriety test of sorts.