The Miami-Dade County Commission was on the brink of forcing Uber shut down locally, but I am happy to tell you that the company recently cleared a hurdle that will allow it to stick around.
I must tell you that the more that I use Uber, the more impressed I am by the ridesharing service. I actually left my completely-dead phone in an Uber car, I was able to reach the driver the next day, and she brought my phone back to me fully charged. The likelihood of that happening if I had left something in a taxi is slim to none.
As much as I enjoy Uber, it does have its critics: namely, cab companies and their lobbies. They believe that the ridesharing service operates illegally in Miami-Dade County. Their argument may be valid because Uber does not adhere to the same set of rules that taxi companies must follow. For example, it screens its own drivers while local taxi cab drivers have their backgrounds checked by Miami-Dade County, which was deemed unfair by both the cab companies and some County Commissioners. In fact, this perceived unfairness prompted Chairman Jean Monestime to propose a bill forcing Uber to follow the same strict regulations as taxi companies, which would have driven this service out of town (pardon the pun).
The Miami-Dade County Commission recently convened regarding the Uber matter and Chairman Monestime unexpectedly withdrew his position on the matter. This means that Uber will continue to roll in Miami, and could actually lessen the strict rules that cabbies must follow.
I was truly relieved to know that Uber would remain here in town for the long haul. I think that it is fabulous! I would never ride in a taxi alone because, frankly, even though their drivers are county-screened, I do not really fully trust them. But with Uber, I am comfortable riding solo and even letting my kids do so. This sense of trust that I, and so many others, feel about ridesharing services is actually great for everyone because since their advent, drunk driving accidents and deaths have actually been reduced across the country.
Let’s all raise our glasses and toast Miami-Dade County’s change of heart!
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