Signed into law by Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval on May 29 was a senate bill approving ride-sharing services in Nevada. On that same day, taxi drivers in Las Vegas protested against the operation of the competing companies.
Drivers employed by Yellow Checker Star (YCS) in Las Vegas are also members of the Industrial, Technical and Professional Employees Union (ITPEU) OPEIU Local 4873. During the protest, YCS drivers stated that drivers for Uber, a ride-sharing service, were inexperienced, without insurance and used a “surge pricing” policy that severely undercut metered taxi rates.
Two regulatory bills from the Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee received final approval from the governor. AB175 will impose a 3 percent fare tax for rides from taxis and ride-sharing services while AB 176 gives the Nevada Transportation Authority jurisdiction over ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Lyft.
With an earlier ban on the ride-sharing services lifted and regulatory bills in place, Uber could begin hitting the streets of Nevada in July 2015. Convention delegates previously touted support for the service, including a petition signed by attendees of International CES, the world’s leading annual innovation event.
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