HONOLULU (AP) - The Latest on a Honolulu bill that would limit prices ride-hailing services can impose on riders (all times local):
5:15 p.m.
Uber derided the measure passed by Honolulu leaders capping what ride-hailing services can charge during peak demand.
Uber released a statement Wednesday calling the limit “a solution in search of a problem.” Uber’s statement says the company has been told the city hasn’t received a single consumer complaint about the app’s pricing model.
The measure prevents “surge pricing” if increased rates are higher than the maximum fare set by the city. The limit passed Wednesday by the City Council on a 6-3 vote.
Supporters say it’s wrong to allow companies to set their own prices without city control. Opponents say Uber and Lyft provide reliable and affordable transportation options.
Uber’s statement adds that riders know upfront what price they’ll pay before accepting a ride.
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4:40 p.m.
Honolulu leaders have approved a measure to cap what ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft can charge during peak demand.
The companies have called the limit passed Wednesday by the City Council on a 6-3 vote the first restriction of its kind in the United States.
The measure prevents “surge pricing” if increased rates are higher than the maximum fare set by the city.
Uber sent emails to customers on the island of Oahu urging opposition to the measure, saying the council wants to impose “outdated taxi-style requirements on rideshare.”
Supporters say it’s wrong to allow companies to set their own prices without city control. Opponents say Uber and Lyft provide reliable and affordable transportation options.
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11 a.m.
Honolulu’s city council is scheduled to vote on a bill that won’t allow ride-hailing services to impose so-called “surge pricing” on riders if the fee is higher than a maximum amount set by the city.
The bill says the city would set a maximum fare private transportation companies may charge. That would prevent surge prices that are higher than the city-set limit.
Uber sent emails to Honolulu customers urging opposition of the bill. The email says the council is considering regulations that would impose “outdated taxi-style requirements on rideshare.”
Testimony supporting the bill includes the owner of EcoCab Hawaii who writes that it’s wrong to allow companies to set prices without city control.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports if the council approves the bill Wednesday it will be the first restriction in the nation on prices when rider demand is high.
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4 a.m.
Ride-hailing service Uber sent emails to customers and drivers urging them to reach out to the Honolulu City Council and push back on a bill that would place more restrictions on the transportation network company and similar operations.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports the bill, which is up for final vote Wednesday, would require the customer services director to establish a cap on how much ride-hailing drivers could charge during periods of “surge” or “dynamic” pricing, when demand is at its peak.
Uber and Lyft officials testified in council committees last month that such a cap would be the first such restriction imposed on the transportation network companies in the U.S.
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