Tag Archives: Uber

Taxi companies file suit against Uber and Lyft

Posted on April 10, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Color me skeptical. Taxi companies in Houston and San Antonio took their turf war with two online companies to federal court Tuesday, saying Uber and Lyft are operating illegally and skimming money from taxi firms that abide by the law. … Continue reading →

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The rideshare battles continue

Posted on April 4, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

From Houston: The issue came up at yesterday’s council meeting and Mayor Annise Parker said that undercover Houston police sting operations have resulted in 26 citations for Uber and Lyft drivers. They were likely, misdemeanor violations for operating an illegal … Continue reading →

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A bumpy ride for Lyft in San Antonio

Posted on March 31, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Ride sharing service Lyft has made its move into San Antonio, where much like it did in Houston it is offering free rides while regulatory issues are negotiated. Unlike Houston, the official reception they got was distinctly unfriendly. Less than … Continue reading →

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The Seattle approach to Uber and Lyft

Posted on March 23, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

While we wait in Houston for City Council to take action on amending the taxi and limousine codes to deal with the entry of Uber and Lyft, the city of Seattle took a novel approach to the issue. In a … Continue reading →

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Lyft has some stumbles

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Oops. Lyft, known for its pink mustaches, has again been caught red-handed in Houston breaking a basic driving law. A driver for the company, which pairs riders with drivers via smartphone app, picked up a Houston investigator Monday and was … Continue reading →

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City to Uber: Enough with the emails already

Posted on March 1, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

So this happened. The battle over Houston’s taxi rules moved Thursday from the streets to cyberspace, reflecting ongoing tension between an aggressive newcomer and a city government determined to proceed cautiously. Thousands of email messages urging elected leaders to allow … Continue reading →

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Cab companies push back on Uber/Lyft

Posted on February 27, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

The first Council action on updating the taxi and limo codes to accommodate Uber and Lyft went about as you’d expect. Houston City Council members struggled Tuesday to strike a balance between ensuring paid rides in Houston are available to … Continue reading →

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More on the Lyft and Uber entrances

Posted on February 24, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

It’s a new day in Houston for people who need a ride. Brian Walts was out until about 3 a.m. Friday hitting the clubs, but he didn’t have a single drink or set foot on a dance floor. Rather, he … Continue reading →

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And here comes UberX

Posted on February 22, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

I mentioned this in passing yesterday, but UberX, which is Uber’s ride share service, similar in nature to that of Lyft, is now in Houston as well. Free rides suddenly became available in Houston on Thursday night as two online … Continue reading →

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Lyft gets set to lift off in Houston

Posted on February 21, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Another option for getting a ride. Prepare to see see pink-mustachioed cars roaming around the city as San Francisco-based car sharing company Lyft launches in Houston on Friday. Lyft is an app-based service that allows anyone to register as a … Continue reading →

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Get ready for the taxis and Uber debate

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s the first challenge for the new Council. City officials, armed with a new study showing weaknesses in the local system, are inching toward regulatory changes that would open Houston’s cab industry to new players, such as Uber, which enables … Continue reading →

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Runoff 8 Day Finance Reports

Posted on December 12, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

I did not get to looking at the 8 day finance reports for the November election – too many candidates, not enough time. But there was no reason I couldn’t take a gander at the 8 day reports for the … Continue reading →

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Uber and insurance

Posted on September 18, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Fascinating. Shortly before midnight on a Tuesday night in March, a black Lincoln Town Car was heading south on Divisadero Street in San Francisco at the same time a Dodge Charger was approaching from the opposite direction. The accident that … Continue reading →

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Uber in Dallas

Posted on September 4, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

A possible preview of things to come, courtesy of our neighbors to the north. Uber pulled into Dallas in one year ago, offering residents a ride with a few taps of an app. Drunk or stuck or just not sure … Continue reading →

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The Uber debate

Posted on September 3, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

In case you missed it over the weekend, the Chron’s op-ed pages featured a point/counterpoint on Uber and its push to enter the Houston market, which would require changes to various city ordinances. Here’s the pro-Uber piece: Imagine it’s Friday … Continue reading →

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Chron for Uber

Posted on August 10, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron editorializes in favor of Council approving a change to city ordinances that would allow Uber to set up shop here. Uber, a car service software company, wants to start operating in Houston so that folks can reserve Town … Continue reading →

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Uber writes to the city about its taxi demand study

Posted on July 25, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

You can see the letter here. They make two basic points: One, the $70 minimum fare for private car trips “serves neither the driver community nor the riding public, and should be eliminated as a matter of public interest regardless … Continue reading →

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Uber

Posted on July 23, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Mark me in favor of this. A smartphone app could be the subject of the year’s most spirited regulatory battle at City Hall, as lobbyists line up for a fight that pits taxicab companies against a car-service technology company called … Continue reading →

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