Yellow Cab is saying in their radio ads how proud they are of convincing the PS City Council to block Uber and Lyft fro going ahead on negotiating with Airport Authority to allow Uber and Lyft to pick up riders on airport property. Their objection which the council went along with is that because taxi drivers are subject to random drug and alcohol testing, then Uber and Lyft drivers should be too.
This is impossible. Taxis' are a public transportation company regulated by the state Public Utility Commission and Uber and Lyft are regulated by them as well. Taxi drivers are required to have a valid limo drivers license. The terms and conditions of the DMV provide for random drug and alcohol testing. The PUC has categorized Uber and Lyft as a Private Party Charter Transportation Network. They are not a public transportation company. Their drivers need only hold a regular valid Calif Drivers License. There is no provision anywhere that allows for random drug and alcohol testing. So the City Council actually sustained an invalid objection by the cab companies to block Lyft and Uber from airport pickups. So to beat the system, now if you are on the airport property and open your Uber or Lyft app, there is a pop up notice letting riders know that if the want a 4 or 6 passenger Uber or Lyft ride, they just need to walk across the parking lot to the street, and once on public property the 4 or 6 passenger options will be available. So there you know the real truth about Yellow Cabs not quite accurate radio ads as well as the politics involved with cab companies and city politicians. It's all about the big almighty dollar and protecting their little monopoly. read more