Sandoval votes to keep riders safe

Senate Transportation Committee Chair State Senator Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago) voted recently on a measure aimed at providing a reasonable set of standards for commercial ridesharing companies, ensuring public safety and protecting Illinois citizens.

House Bill 4075, named the Ridesharing Arrangements and Consumer Protection Act, will require commercial ridesharing companies to have adequate insurance, contract with drivers who are appropriately licensed, use vehicles that are inspected for safety and serve customers with disabilities and in underserved communities.

“Companies like UberX, Lyft and Sidecar have recently entered Illinois communities to provide transportation services that have always required special licensure and strict compliance with local public safety rules,” Sandoval said. “Right now, these companies are providing thousands of rides a day without adequate insurance. It is only a matter of time before a tragedy occurs and an innocent person is left without recourse.”

The Illinois General Assembly passed the Ridesharing Arrangements Act in 1983 to permit carpooling and other similar activities. The legislation was narrowly crafted to prohibit alternative taxi services from operating in the state. UberX, Lyft and Sidecar have been openly operating in the City of Chicago and the city’s affluent suburbs without abiding by any regulations.

This measure has passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate.