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Lyft, Uber Face More Hearings Before They Can Operate In Nevada

Courtesy Lyft
Courtesy Lyft

Lyft and Uber will be in Carson City on Thursday for a second Nevada Transportation Authority hearing. The three-member commission is discussion proposed regulations to allow both companies to operate in Nevada

Uber and Lyft want to operate in Nevada. But, will the price be too high for the ride-hailing companies?

That’s still to be seen.

Lawyers for the two companies and representatives from the taxi and limousine companies will gather again on Thursday in Carson City for another meeting with the state’s Transportation Authority.

One of the highlights of last week’s meeting was the disclosure of the price Uber and Lyft will have to pay to compete in Nevada.

It’s $500,000 to start. Pay that price and you'll be able to have an unlimited number of vehicles on Nevada's roads.

So, when will Uber and Lyft driver hit the streets? Or, will the price be too high for the transportation network companies?

Rick Velotta transportation reporter with the Las Vegas Review-Journal told KNPR'S State of Nevada said the ride-sharing companies were shocked by the amount they would have to pay.

However, Velotta points out the state needs to pay for new investigators and monitors, along with background checks for drivers and vehicle inspections for the thousands of cars the companies say will be part of their rosters.

"They're just trying to protect tax payers basically by having the company pay for what amounts to entering the market," Velotta said.

Several other issues need to be worked out, including the three percent tax outlined by the Legislature and accident insurance, which Velotta said will be "more complicated" than the insurance everyone carries on their cars.

Right now, transportation officials will be looking all kinds of different proposals from all sides to come up with comprehensive regulations.

"They're going to look at all these different ideas come up with something that is fair for all parties involved and draft the final rules and regulations," Velotta said. 

Even when that is done, there will be several more steps before the regulations will be in place.  

Rick Velotta, reporter and transportation columnist,  Las Vegas Review-Journal.

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