Video: Why are Cities Like LA and SF at War with Uber and Lyft?

District attorneys in both Los Angeles and San Francisco

have served Uber, Lyft, and Sidecar letters stating that these
companies are operating illegally within the state. The popular
ridesharing companies could face legal action if changes aren’t
made to their services. 

Topping the list of complaints was the allegation that all three
had misled their consumers on safety matters and drivers’
background checks. San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón
wants the firms to remove language from their sites and mobile apps
that claims background checks show a driver’s complete criminal
history. 

The complaint also states that the way each company calculates
their rideshare service fees is also against state law because it
allows passengers going to the same place to split fares. 

This isn’t the first time companies like Uber and Lyft have been
targeted. Earlier in September, the California Public Utilities
Commission sent warning letters to the companies stating their
services violated state carpool laws. 

And earlier this year, the state of Virginia tried to ban Uber
and Lyft from operating within the state, but the Department of
Motor Vehicles quickly reversed the ban in July after they agreed
to submit to stricter and more thorough background checks on
drivers. 

Back in 2013, Reason TV documented the war on Uber in
Washington, D.C., and the powerful taxi lobby in the nation’s
capital.  Written and directed by Rob Montz. Original release
date was October 22, 2013, and the original writeup is below the
fold. 

The on-demand car service Uber is one of the most inventive
transportation technologies of the new century. In over 20
countries—and two dozen U.S. cities—Uber uses a smartphone app to
connect people who need rides with drivers of a range of vehicles
from luxury towncars to regular taxis.

Like most powerful innovations, Uber disrupts the status quo by
competing with established business interests. In Washington, D.C.,
the service was an instant hit with city residents—and almost as
quickly found itself at odds with D.C.’s powerful taxi lobby and
its allies on the city council. 

The result was the Uber Wars, which ended in a striking victory
for the company and its customers.

Related Article: “Driving
in the Future: How Regulators Try to Crush Uber, Lyft, and New
Ride-Sharing Ventures.” 

About 10 minutes.

Written and directed by Rob Montz (follow him on
Twitter @robmontz)
and executive produced by William Beutler at Beutler Ink (@BeutlerInk). For more
information and inquiries, email TheUberWars@gmail.com