MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – The city of Myrtle Beach is considering rule changes for local taxicab drivers and operators.
Governor Nikki Haley signed a bill to allow ride sharing apps to operate legally in South Carolina, last year.
The law lets internet-based ride services operate independent of taxicab laws and requirements.
Myrtle Beach is looking to make changes because taxi drivers have complained they’re losing money operating under different rules.
“Our business is down about thirty, forty percent,” said Glen Pellerin. Pellerin has been a taxi driver in the city for the past nine years.
Pellerin said he’s seen more business going to online companies recently.
“Well it is pretty obvious when we are standing, when we’re sitting in line in places like Broadway at the Beach most of the younger people are coming out and you see them holding up their phone and you know that’s what they are doing,” said Pellerin.
Under South Carolina law, ride sharing apps are defined as transportation network companies and not taxi cabs which means they play by a different set of rules, and Pellerin said he’s seen some circumventing others altogether.
“For instance if I pull up in this airport and pick up customers that have called me, I’ve got to pull in the short-term and pay seven dollars; but I see the über pulling right up on the curb right there with the ü and picking up people right on the curb which we are not even allowed to do and they are not paying anything,” said Pellerin.
Myrtle Beach also requires cab companies pay annual fees and get regular vehicle inspections.
“Taxi’s are regulated for the safety of the public we want to make sure that, you know when, people step into a taxi that they’re getting a safe conveyance,” said city spokesperson Mark Kruea.
“When you get into a taxi you have the expectation that somebody has looked over this vehicle, make sure that it is clean, that it is safe to operate, that it’s got insurance, that the driver has got a background check. And, apparently with über and the other ride sharing apps, those elements aren’t necessarily in place,” added Kruea.
Myrtle Beach is considering changing the rules so they can charge more at pick up, instead of $1.50 they would collect $3.50 and also reduce fees they pay to the city.
“On one hand it’s a savings if we don’t charge them an extra money for the annual fee or lowering the annual fee for an inspection; and on the other they’re making more money by charging more for someone to actually get in the taxi cab,” said Kruea.
The new rules would also allow for roof top advertising as long as its professionally done.
It passed first reading at city council on Tuesday and needs to pass a second before going into effect.
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