TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The popular ride-sharing service Uber says they're leaving one Florida county. It's a fight over local regulations that will spill into the next state legislative session.
The popular ride-sharing service Uber says they've had enough with at least one county in Florida. The California-based company that lets almost anybody turn their car into a pop-up cab says they're pulling out of the lucrative market of Broward County at the end of July.
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Uber lobbied to have bills be included in Florida's special session this past June, but legislation was not taken up.
"There's a lot of duplicative regulations in there," Uber representative Cesar Fernandez said.
Fernandez said local government regulation restricts business.
"Florida is obviously a big state -- over 400 cities (and) 67 counties. It's always difficult when there's a patchwork of local regulation," Fernandez said.
The Legislature failed to pass uniform rules for the state this year. Growing tensions will most likely drive legislation next legislative session.
Cab companies led the charge against companies like Uber this year saying they're not playing by the same rules and that traditional cabs have more rules to follow. State Rep. Matt Gaetz said lawmakers will need to get a handle on the situation next year.
"In Broward County, it appears the Cabbie Cartel has scored a temporary victory," Gaetz said. "Our job in the state legislature is to make sure we have fair and reliable rules for everyone in Florida."
Uber driver Tom Villaverde said he's worried about his future as a driver. Tallahassee city officials are getting ready to put their own Uber regulations into place.
"I'm hoping for new, modern regulations, not the old antiquated ones that are used for cabs, because they are two different things."
Villaverde said he's gone ahead and been fingerprinted just in case tougher background checks will be required.