In case you missed it, a news release distributed by the city of Tampa, Lyft and Uber on September 12, 2016.
Tampa Mayor Buckhorn, Florida Chamber of Commerce, Tampa Bay Business Leaders, Uber and Lyft Urge Hillsborough PTC to Vote Down Anti-Ridesharing Regulations
PTC Vote to be held Wednesday, September 14
(Tampa, Fla.) – Today at a press conference City of Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Director of Infrastructure and Governance Policy for the Florida Chamber of Commerce Christopher Emmanuel, Tampa Bay’s top business and community leaders and organizations, Uber and Lyft urged the Hillsborough Public Transportation Commission (PTC) to vote down anti-ridesharing regulations and ensure all Tampa Bay residents have access to safe and reliable transportation options.
Businesses and community leaders who attended the press conference included, Absolute Mobile Solutions, Associated Builders and Contractors, Florida Gulf Coast Chapter, Elevate Tampa Bay, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Mainsail Lodging & Development, ROI Commercial Property Brokerage, Suncoast Community Health Centers, Tampa Bay WaVE, Tampa Innovation Alliance, THUZI, Tribridge, the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce, and others.
“Ridesharing has become a top option for young and old alike to navigate the City of Tampa,” said City of Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn. “Both Uber and Lyft increase safe mobility options while empowering entrepreneurs to take charge of their economic futures. Our city deserves to have every transportation option available and that includes ridesharing.”
“Tampa Bay must compete in the 21st marketplace and to do so our community needs to support a free enterprise system that empowers consumers with choice and strengthens our economy,” said Christopher Emmanuel, Director of Infrastructure and Governance Policy, Florida Chamber of Commerce. “Hillsborough County’s regulatory environment should welcome ridesharing’s contribution to the economy and the residents and visitors.”
“We are proud to have the support of Tampa Mayor Buckhorn, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, and Tampa Bay business and community leaders,” said Tom Maguire, General Manager for Uber in Tampa Bay. “It’s clear that Hillsborough County wants ridesharing to stay in this community. It’s time for the PTC to make the right decision for Hillsborough County.”
“Thank you to Mayor Buckhorn and the entire Tampa Bay community for your ongoing support of ridesharing,” said Tim Alborg, Lyft’s Public Policy Manager. “We will continue fighting for people in Hillsborough County to have access to modern and affordable transportation options like Lyft.”
The PTC Rules and Policy Committee voted on September 6, 2016 to advance regulations that clearly favor special interests over the will of Hillsborough County residents. The full committee will vote on the regulations on Wednesday, September 14, 2016. These regulations are anti-competitive, clearly favor one business over another, and ignore the most important part of modern transportation: the consumers.
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