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SALT LAKE CITY — Some drivers for the new ride-sharing companies like Lyft and Uber say they are getting hit with big fines from Salt Lake City but officials say these drivers are operating illegally after repeated warnings.
Amanda Wardell, a single mom and driver who uses the Lyft app, told the Associated Press that she got hit with a $6,500 fine. College student Angie Palmer reported getting two $6,500 tickets.
The current ground transportation regulations state people who work as drivers, including those using ridesharing apps, need a ground transportation license to operate legally, said David Everitt, chief of staff to Salt Lake Mayor Ralph Becker.
“That’s not something that is difficult to get,” Everitt told KSL Wednesday. “You need proof of insurance, your vehicle must meet certain cleanliness standards, and you have pass a background check. Once you’ve done that, you pay your annual fee and you are good to go.”
Everitt told the Associated Press by using secret shoppers to get rides, they have given over 100 warnings and fined 17 drivers. But these only come after repeated warnings, he added.
“The fourth or fifth time you get a warning about this, you are going to get fined,” he told KSL. “It’s just fair. They are on notice, but are choosing to drive illegally while we work out the regulatory regime.”
Lyft has been fighting tickets and even paid for some fines, Everitt said.
Next month, the Salt Lake City Council will discuss a proposal to more clearly outline how these peer-to-peer businesses can operate. The proposal would also keep in mind the taxi cab companies that have operated in the city for years.
“We have a long history in this city of people offering gypsy cabs and limos without a license,” Everitt told KSL. “We enforce on them, so to be fair, we have to enforce on anyone operating without ground transportation licenses.”
Contributing: Mike Headrick and Tracie Snowder
