<p>Island taxi drivers appealed to local government this week to address Uber, a ride sharing service they said could dismantle their industry. A letter signed by 11 taxi drivers asked selectmen to “protect the public from unlicensed and unregulated taxis operating within Edgartown.”</p>
Island taxi drivers appealed to local government this week to address the threat of Uber, a technology-based ride sharing service they fear could dismantle their industry.
In a letter addressed to Edgartown officials and signed by 11 taxicab drivers, attorney Daniel Larkosh asked selectmen to “protect the public from unlicensed and unregulated taxis operating within the town of Edgartown.”
The company, which held an informational meeting for prospective drivers this week, operates through a free mobile phone application where users can request rides based on availability and geographic location. Unlike the 19 taxi companies which are each licensed by one of five Island towns, it’s still unclear whether Uber, which isn’t an official livery service and has a fleet of private cars as well as taxis, would have to be licensed.
Last week, an Uber representative told the Gazette that they were in the early stages of looking into service on Martha's Vineyard, and they were advertising to see if anyone was interested in signing up to be a driver.
At a meeting of the Edgartown selectmen Monday, Island cab drivers asked for help in their fight against Uber.
Melaney West, whose company Stagecoach Taxi holds 12 cab licenses in Edgartown, said there was no limit to the impact of Uber on her business as well as town infrastructure, parking, and traffic.
“They need to be duly licensed by somebody,” she told the selectmen. “I would ask that while this process is ongoing, you consider a cease and desist order so that this doesn’t snowball into a larger problem.”
While sympathetic to their concerns, selectmen said the matter was in the hands of town counsel, who represents five Island towns and has been researching the issue from a regional standpoint.
“If you carried this out to its end, and it destroyed the taxi business on Martha’s Vineyard and they all disappeared, it wouldn’t be helpful to the Island,” selectman Arthur Smadbeck. “We are doing what we can do within the regulations and laws.”
Uber, which has established an international presence, has faced opposition from taxi companies who have pushed for tighter regulations.
But many riders have embraced the app, which tells them when a car will arrive and provides driver ratings and fare estimates for each trip.
The company was valued at more than $41 billion in December, according to the Wall Street Journal.
“It’s your town counsel against their high-powered corporate attorneys,” said Alpha Taxi owner Benoit Baldwin. “That is the battle that is playing out across the nation.”
Last week, Gov. Charlie Baker filed legislation to regulate companies like Uber by requiring contracted drivers to pass a background check and mandating vehicle inspections.
“A diverse transportation network is key to our future economic growth and our collaboration will ensure customers have safe and reliable choices when they travel,” Mr. Baker said in a press release.
The legislation does not speak to local licensure.
In Oak Bluffs, town leaders who discussed the issue briefly at the selectmen’s meeting Tuesday seemed resigned to the inevitable.
“Long story short, there is not a lot we can do about it,” said police chief Erik Blake.
Comments
Uber will be big competition
MarieUber will be big competition for Island taxis. The app is easy and the prices are good. On Martha's Vineyard taxis are unbelievably expensive. Trips are expensive and they charge for each rider. My daughter took a cab from Edgartown to Katama and they charged for each passenger.
Completely agree with Marie.
Martha ChilmarkCompletely agree with Marie. The taxi fee on the island is astronomical. They charge for each person/town they pass through. Not only is the fare an insult, it forces people who have been drinking in town to re-think their options for transportation back home up island or elsewhere because the rates are so high, forcing people to drive drunk rather than go home fifty dollars lighter. What the taxi companies should do is smartly reduce their insane rate, and try to compete with Uber (which is the best thing to happen to public transportation since "taxis" and before teleportation devices).
We don't force anybody to
Jim Hickey - Owner Bluefish and Aquinnah Taxi West TisburyWe don't force anybody to "drive drunk rather than go homes fifty dollars lighter" -- and I have no idea where you arrived at the figure of a $50 for a cab ride home. I can tell you that a $50 cab is pretty rare unless you are going up to Aquinnah of something, and that of course is 45 minute ride. And the taxis don't charge for each person/town they pass through, that is simply untrue. The companies charge flat rates that are approved by the town selectmen. Please try to stick to the facts.
"If you can't beat 'em, join
Rick Vineyard Haven"If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!"
The first taxi company to join Uber will be ahead of the rest. (What's stopping them?) The companies should not be slow to take advantage of this progressive company. There are no more 8-track tapes, soon there will be no big vans to get into, and then wait until it's full with more fares, before paying for a ride home from OB. The times they are a changin'...
I like the charm of the
Thomas Oak BluffsI like the charm of the inefficient, uncomfortable vans here, but it is mainly for nostalgic reasons. Nevertheless, the self-interest of the taxi companies is blatant, and offensive. Rick is right. Unless officials artificially protect this oligopoly, the taxi companies will ultimately lose out just like high-cost travel agents lost out to less costly online booking companies and the music companies lost out to new online platforms. Over in Boston and other places, heaps of taxis have indeed joined Uber. None of these changes triggered armageddon, but all saw replacements of high-cost channels with more efficient solutions for consumers.
I once waited in VH at 11:30
KateI once waited in VH at 11:30 PM for a taxi to come back and take my 5 year old daughter home after an exhausting day and missed ferry. We got our rude in an ancient smelly van needing new shocks with three other groups via the other end of the Island. Got home at 1:30. I have since had to call a cab company and say "where are you for my pick up?" Only to be told they had no intention of honoring their commitment. Another ferry missed. The Island could use Uber. In my experience elsewhere, they were on time with a clean modern vehicle and a dedicated ride and a known price. What's not to like?
What industry embraces
O EdgartownWhat industry embraces competition? Their fight is anticipated.
Uber brings stiff competition by opening the door to any driver willingn to provide a ride. This will open the door to many opportunistic workers and lower fares in the end.
Isn't lower cost what everyone is striving for?
Rick is right on target. The
Geoff ChappyRick is right on target. The taxi oligopoly might next want to legislate against the bus company as well. To my recollection the Vineyard taxis are the only ride service that charges per head and that was not the case a few years back.So they only want change that benefits them. Uber is here to stay..........get use to it !
The letter was signed by taxi
Facts straightThe letter was signed by taxi company owners, not drivers.
They current taxi owners on
Phillip McCavity Oak BluffsThey current taxi owners on Martha's Vineyard need to stop whining and start thinking about how to improve service. Honestly do they really think the public enjoys riding around in 20 year old vans with duct tape on the seats and no air conditioning? I hate to break it to the current taxi owners on MV but Uber is here to stay in Massachusetts. The Governor and legislature are already working on legislation to address the issue. On the other hand we could just follow the advice of Melaney West who owns Stagecoach Taxi and issue a Cease and Desist order against Uber. Better yet how about a Cease and Desist order against all taxi's other than Stagecoach.
What is the legal dilemma
Paul Oak BluffsWhat is the legal dilemma here? Uber is a taxicab company and needs to be licensed by one of the towns just like every other cab company. You contact Uber, they pick you up and transport you to where you want to go at a price that they fix and then a monetary transaction takes place from you to them for that service.
You hit the nail on the head
Dan Larkosh West TisburyYou hit the nail on the head Paul. Taxicab regulations are designed to protect and benefit the public, not discourage competition. All the cab companies have requested is that Uber drivers be required to obtain the same taxi license and then abide by the same regulations as any other taxi company. Also, enforcement of the existing regulations would be simple because the Uber app tracks drivers by GPS, which is visible to anyone with a cell phone. The issue is protecting the public, not discouraging competition.
Dan- I realize that you
William EdgDan- I realize that you represent at least some of the "taxi" owners so whatever you say, I get it. First, we do not have taxi companies here on MV, we have van services. A taxi takes people from point A to point B. Our so called "taxies" will take multiple parties to multiple locations who cares how long it takes (well, I do) and charge full fare to all. We are the only place in the state that can do this. They are not taxis, they are an expensive ride shares. I have personally experienced overcharging and believe the so called "taxies" should be metered. Maybe, if the selectmen hear the public, they will finally meter the van services. All you have to do is look at the support for alternatives in the comments here. Maybe advise your clients if they put up too much of a stink they will get metered. If the van companies have to choose, would they prefer metering or competition? Personally I would vote for both.
Ahhh...capitalism. Uber hasn
NoIslandForOldLocalsAhhh...capitalism. Uber hasn't provided one ride on the island yet the mere threat of it's presence is already causing change in commerce on the island. Love it..
Uber is not the problem they
islander cabby OBUber is not the problem they do background checks and the car is always clean. One OB cab company hires anyone dead or alive every summer that says a lot about that company. And I get the impression some of his drivers don't have a taxi license.
I've also been forced to
Regular Summer Visitor Cornelius, NCI've also been forced to endure the occasional transport in the foul smelling rolling garbage skows they call taxis on the island, not to mention fork over the outrageous hostage fees charged for the pleasure of their use. The local transportation companies' requests for certifications and background checks for Uber drivers is logical but actually quite laughable considering most MV drivers I've experienced probably couldn't pass a criminal or credit background check themselves if their fares depended on it. With apologies to those who would be the exceptions to the rule, the drivers I've had on MV, almost without exception, appear to have been plucked from the bottom of the grog barrel. Bring on Uber, and embrace the future.
"Protect the public"- more
Rex Treadwell Tilsbury"Protect the public"- more like protect our perilously endangered tail feathers. I for one will gladly see these companies, the true bottom feeders of the service industry, go extinct.
Some commenters sound a bit
Rob Burnside Kingston, PASome commenters sound a bit too gleeful. Hopefully, they presently have--and will always have-- reliable personal transportation. What will happen if,for whatever reason, Uber tanks and there are no longer any taxis to call? Think it through, folks.
Ah, you turn on the app and
Will VaAh, you turn on the app and get ride. Think about it, it's called the Internet.
I agree with your post Rob.
Dan Larkosh West TisburyI agree with your post Rob. Some posters seem to be inadvertently arguing for deregulation of the taxicab industry. Current fares are set by these regulations, not by the cab companies. Regulations require fare cards to be visible in each cab. Do we want background checks to be done by local police with criteria set by each town, or do we want this responsibility and the allowable fares turned over to some out-of-state company? Uber fares go up when demand is highest, its called surge pricing I believe. Current regs allow for an increased fare only based on between 2 and 6 a.m. for example, not based on demand. So Uber fares are relatively unpredictable. Current regulations also prohibit taxicab drivers from driving around looking for a fare. Uber drivers drive when they want, where they want. They won't necessarily be there at 5 in the morning when you need to catch a ferry. Also, think about the environmental impact of all that driving around in individual vehicles. Think also about 10 to 20 Uber drivers descending on every ferry boat arrival, the traffic congestion caused by that and the consequences for the average person just trying to make it to the ferry on time. This is why we have taxicab stands and vehicles that accommodate multiple passengers. Before we abandon these regulations, we should think through the unintended consequences. Sometimes change is good but not always. It makes better sense to have Uber follow the local regulations rather than have Uber tell us how the taxicab business is going to be run here.
You pack much meat, Dan.
Rob Burnside Kingston, PAYou pack much meat, Dan. Thanks for all the information!
this also benefits island
Adamthis also benefits island residents looking to make a few bucks. If they offer a better service and do a good job, why not?
Sure the taxis are protecting
Zack EdgartownSure the taxis are protecting their own interests, but if they are forced to adhere to regulations that add to the cost, and a competitor isn't, it's not a fair competition. I wonder why local law enforcement feels powerless. If Uber is not following the law and local law enforcement can't do anything about it, it sounds like a failure by local lawmakers.
How much do the regulations
Happy! EdgartownHow much do the regulations add to the cost? My guess that has nothing to do with it. Also, for that "cost" the taxi companies get the right to the spots right by the ferry. I think a lot of people would want to pay for that privilege.
You know I agree with you all
Roy Vineyard HavenYou know I agree with you all, and while we are at it, I'm tired of paying $10 for a burger and $20 for a pizza,I want to take my family out to dinner for less than $100. If thats the way we are going to look at it bring on McDonalds, Domino's (they deliver) and Applebee's. Is that the way we are going to make decisions now, because a few people want to save a few dollars, Taxi company owners live here and the majority of thier money is spent here. Ubers profits will not. Competition is good right?
Uber isn't about saving
Happy! EdgartownUber isn't about saving dollars. In most places it's more expensive than taxis. It's about convenience, single rides, and missing out on the experience of being in a broken down, smelly van.
By the way, you can get a burger for $6 if you go to the right places and most pizzas are around $12.
As for delivery, Uber is doing that in some areas too.
As for where the money goes...how come I see a lot of the taxi companies getting their vehicles serviced off-island and hiring off-island people when it gets busy. I'll also bet that their drivers don't keep 80% of the fares or allow the kind of flexible work hours that Uber does.
Competition is good. Better service is great, and Uber offers a far better service than what we have now. Perhaps you should look at the people that are happy about this and wonder why they'd be willing to spend more.
People are forgetting that
Gary Sagamore BeachPeople are forgetting that van loads of 10-15 passengers leaving the incoming boats will turn into 5-12 Uber cars jamming up the parking lots and roads to all time highs. Those big taxi vans were a real help as to solving the traffic problems in the past.
The taxis weren't so expensive before the state, county, & towns started pumping millions into the VTA to fund cheap transportation for tourists who previously had rides with the less expensive cabs of the day. It used to cost $10 for 2 people to go from the SSA to Edgartown (pre VTA). The cost has more than doubled now and still the drivers make less today than 20 years ago.
Taxis are expensive everywhere, and what isn't expensive on the Vineyard? Town selectman have control of the taxi rates, protocol, safety, etc. Uber may not have the best business model for the island's year round, remote location, 24 hour on call type situation. Town Selectman have the big picture in mind and give transportation end users way more recourse than a bad review on some app as your only option if at all dissatisfied.
Be careful of what you wish for. Eliminate the cabs and rely fully on Uber and there are no more rules and no more commitments. If you can't get an Uber and cabs are no more you'll need to walk to the closest Bus stop and get comfy.
I remember back to the 70s
Huh? EdgartownI remember back to the 70s and it never cost $10 for one person, let alone two to get to Edgartown in a taxi. The problem also isn't the fare though...it's getting jammed into a stinking, old, van and then getting to travel to several other stops before getting to your destination.
Oh, and please stop with the, "All the taxis are going to go away and you'll be sorry." If there's a need for taxis there will be someone to supply them...and plenty of Uber drivers as well.
Finally, with Uber here...it's far more likely that people will forgo bringing their car to the Island. Uber will be a more convenient alternative. No one...would ever say that about the current Vineyard taxis.
Remember the shrilling over
Rex Treadwell TisburyRemember the shrilling over the predicted horrors the Roundabout would bring to the island? Now the local nanny goats are bleating about the horrors of a practice that might render surly, overpriced, shoddy service obsolete. The taxi owners are perfectly capable of adapting or getting new professions- it's not our responsibility to preserve their wretched trade.
Does anyone really think that
Wow!!Does anyone really think that this is the end of taxi cabs on Martha's Vineyard. STOP the drama, there will most likely be fewer, better run, cleaner and more responsive companies. The drivers that will be displaced will most likely find new and more consistent opportunities. Uber has faced much greater challenges in other markets and will overcome them here as well. I think that the vast majority on law, both state and federal, supports Uber or if not support, then does not prohibit. Forgotten in the drama of the taxi companies is that this has proven to increase the riders experience everywhere else. It is about the consumer not the provider in this case. Good luck to those who are going to spend much time and financial resources on this battle.
I love how the taxi monopoly
NoIslandForOldLocalsI love how the taxi monopoly on the island is turning to the old "fear change" mantra to save their soon to be extinct business model. It's a sure sign of desperation.
I understand that Uber -- or
Jim Hickey - Owner Bluefish and Aquinnah Taxi West TisburyI understand that Uber -- or the possibility of Uber -- has triggered some type of crazy bloodlust in many people who want to see all taxi drivers and owners drawn and quartered in public view. I concede the taxi industry on the Island can make improvements, and I for one am willing to make changes (as I think most owners are). An Island-wide taxi committee has been formed and will soon begin to examine the problem, and I think all the taxi owners are willing to work with the committee to make changes for the better. That being said there is clearly some piling on going on here, with a lot of people playing fast and loose with the facts. For example a commentor above said that taxis charge for each passenger, and for each town they pass through. That is simply NOT TRUE. All the taxi companies charge flat rates that are approved by the selectmen in the towns' they are licensed. The taxis company do not make fares up out of thin air, and if anybody ever feels they were overcharged or mistreated they can call the police or file a formal complaint with the town. The complaint may trigger a public hearing after which the company could be disciplined and the driver may lose their right to operate a taxi. This is worth mentioning because Uber taxi would be exempt from this process. Likewise Uber drivers do not need to obtain taxi licenses from the police department and the company does not have to follow the fare sheet approved by the selectmen. It's important to note that Uber taxi charge for rides using a sliding scale which increases the cost at certain times due to a number of factors including demand, the number of vehicles available and even things like weather events. Based on these factors, the fare for an Uber taxi during busy times could multiply by a factor of three, four, or five (or more). I just hope people understand these facts while they argue in favor of this out-of-state multi-billion dollar company setting up shop here. If you don't like the taxi regulations or the taxi rates, you can urge or ask or petition your local selectmen to consider making changes in a lawful manner, instead of letting to what amounts to an internet based gypsy cab service come to the Island.
Jim, please understand that
Ebba Hierta West TisburyJim, please understand that there is a disconnect between the "regulations" and what is actually happening out there on the street. People actually are being charged by the "head" and charged extra to pass through more towns. People are being turned down at a taxi stand because they aren't traveling far enough. People are being dumped at the SSA taxi stand when a better fare walks up. All of these things have happened to me. Your solution - file a formal complaint. My solution - download the Uber app. Our current hodgepodge of slip-shod, uninforced, town-based regulations doesn't work for the locals and it leaves a bad taste in the mouths of our visitors. It's time for a change.
Jim,
iSLAND mIKE mvJim,
While I agree people are piling on I will make two quick points - 1). There is obviously a reason - please think about how to become more competitive in your new landscape and 2). I do not think you or other owners know what your employees are charging. You may think the drivers follow the rules but please know they do not. I have been charged different rates on a regular basis for the same ride and seen the rate go up for multiple people to the same destination. You may think your people are honest ( and many are ) but there are ones who like to put a little cash in their pockets. I wish you good luck in the new world of Uber and look forward to a newer, cleaner and priced right cab going forward.
Fascinating how the specter
Rex Treadwell TisburyFascinating how the specter of those "unregulated Uber Drivers" is touted as the raison d'être for circling the wagons according to the company owners. Yet peruse the selectman meeting records and review the sessions where taxi drivers are appealing their revocation of driving privileges and you'll see what a motley crew it is. I'll leave out the sordid details less this appear a penny dreadful installment, but suffice to say that an unregulated Uber driver trumps these cretins any day of the week.
Taxi's are going nowhere. I
Ugh!!!Taxi's are going nowhere. I agree with other commenters on this a the previous article they are going to need to evolve, better understand what their customers want and advocate for change to make themselves better able to compete. Not just jump up and down and scream to stay the same and be protected. Look at the history of attempted change to the cabs, the companies have fought every proposal. Why is an attorney fighting for his client on social media and not in the proper legal venues.
Uber is fantastic. Whatever
John D OBUber is fantastic. Whatever they are doing they are doing it right. It is easy, cheap and popular. The cars are clean, they are quick to arrive and they are friendly. I for one would welcome them to the island because they will make tourists have a good experience and a happy tourist is more likely to spend money. The vans are great for people rolling off the ferries in need of a ride with all their luggage. Uber will probably not cut into this service too much as I don't believe that they would be allowed to line up at the taxi areas and everyone knows how difficult it is to park for a ferry arrival.
I'd like to add that while
Reality OBI'd like to add that while yes, most of the complaints here about the current island taxis are probably a bit exaggerated, most of the people seem to be simply excited about Uber. It's a fantastic service that is succeeding almost everywhere. The rating system ensures that drivers and passengers have incentive to be on their best behavior. There are clear fare estimates, and the system is incredibly easy to use. Fair or not, island taxis have a terrible reputation, and while it's understandable that the taxi owners would be worried over this, it's a bit disingenuous to come on here and rail against all the evils of Uber.
The service is reliable and almost always cheaper than a cab ride. What else is there to know?
The last time I tried to take
Louisa Hufstader Oak BluffsThe last time I tried to take a cab home from the ferry, two different van drivers refused to take me and so I set out with my suitcase to walk the four miles home in the dark. Fortunately, after a mile or so another taxi van driver spotted me as he was driving by and took me the rest of the way home.
I hope the local companies come up with a better way to do business here so that we can feel better about using our local cab companies. Because Uber is not a nice corporation. There have been multiple reports of people's confidential ride info being leaked and shared, not to mention the real horror stories of Uber drivers attacking fares or abandoning them.
I don't want some unregulated driver knowing where I live.
I'm happy to see uber on the
Livingonabudget Vineyard HavenI'm happy to see uber on the Island. I'm tired of being over charged and denied a ride because "not enough people are going that way" Ect. I also think the lower prices and greater availability will lower the number of dui's and hitchhiking at night.
The behavior of many of the
Rex Treadwell TisburyThe behavior of many of the taxi company owners and drivers over the years would have gotten people thrown in the stockades in the old days, or at the very least a good tarring and feather followed by a shower of rotten fruit. Yes, there have been a few good drivers here and there, but not enough to redeem the trade as a whole. Now we're treated to this tantrum on their part as they're facing extinction.
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