Cab drivers push for ride-share company regulations

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- More than a hundred taxi drivers gathered at L.A. City Hall Tuesday to protest poplar ride-share-app services. They say companies like Uber, Lyft and Sidecar have an unfair advantage. Taxi drivers are asking state lawmakers to tighten regulations on ride-share companies. Dozens of taxi drivers made public comments at a city council meeting.

"There's no accountability for them whatsoever. It's like a free-for-all," said Efrin Degen, who drives a cab.

"If we didn't have to pay fees and commercial insurance and all that other stuff, we could maybe make a dollar a mile and beat them with the price," said cab driver Martin Manukyan.

In the next few months, we should know the fate of California Assembly Bill 612, which would require background checks, corporate insurance and other safety regulations in the city of Los Angeles.

Councilman Paul Koretz is backing the bill, calling the companies "bandit cabs with apps." He says the regulations in place are weak and are not enforced.

"There was a little girl that was run over. The ride-share company disavowed their responsibility under their insurance," said Koretz. "There have been sexual assaults, there have been passengers that have been beaten up by their drivers."

"I think that the customers are speaking for themselves," said Edward Bullard, who drives for Uber.

Uber says it has best-in-class insurance for ride-sharing. And its background and safety standards are higher than traditional cab services.

"They've monopolized forever, and finally someone is coming in using technology and being more efficient and more friendly, and they're not liking the fact that customers just like our service better," said Bullard.

Lyft released a statement: "Californians have embraced ride-sharing as a new model of community-powered safe rides and economic opportunity, and we hope senators in Sacramento listen to their constituents who want more transportation options."