If you live in Verona and you’re thinking of driving for the popular transportation service Uber, you could be required to get a license from the town to do so.
An ordinance introduced at Tuesday’s Town Council meeting could expand the categories of transportation services regulated by Verona to include limousine and livery drivers. Verona did not set out to target Uber, or any other company with its new regulations. But in expanding its rules on transportation, Verona unwittingly crosses paths with the ride-booking service, which uses a smartphone app to connect riders to who are independent drivers. As drivers for hire, however, they would need a license to operate from Verona under the proposed ordinance.
Right now, Verona only regulates taxi stands and applicants for taxicab licenses. Township Attorney Michael Gannaio told the Council on Tuesday night that the change to Verona’s code is “in keeping with state statute”. (Montclair’s code, for example, already covers limousine and livery drivers.) MyVeronaNJ.com emailed Council members after the meeting to clarify who the ordinance applies to, and got back this response from Council member Kevin Ryan today: “Having spoken with Verona Township Attorney Michael Gannaio, I believe that this would apply to an Uber driver whose vehicle is registered in Verona because I believe that it falls under the category of a livery service.”
Uber started in San Francisco in 2010. It has expanded to more than 200 cities since then and, despite a deliberately urban growth strategy, Uber has become popular in suburban markets as well. Verona residents are using it to go to the airport and to the doctor, for rides home from the train station and from favorite restaurants, where they can now relax and not worry about a DUI.
Nothing in the proposed ordinance would prevent Verona residents from continuing to do that, which is good news since Uber rides can be significantly cheaper than a taxi: $5 or so to get home from Montclair, $28 for a ride to Newark Airport. But if Ordinance 3-15 is approved, limousine and livery drivers whose cars are registered in Verona will need to apply for a license, show proof of insurance, have Verona Police inspect their cars for mechanical and safety issues, complete a background check and pay $30 per vehicle and $20 per driver. The license would need to be renewed annually. Uber, which has not responded to an email from this reporter, requires that drivers be 21, provide proof of insurance and complete a background check as well.
“If their business address is in Verona they need to follow the applicable laws,” said Mayor Bob Manley, who is a fan of Uber. “I think Uber is a fabulous idea. I have used it myself. It offers another option to parents and young people. It’s time has come.”
Council member Jay Sniatkowski is also an Uber user. “Uber is a great service that my family uses often. It’s free market, and creates competition, which benefits consumers. This ordinance update is to comply with state standards and I guarantee it will have no impact whatsoever on a residents ability to call on an Uber.”
It may, says Ryan, give users more peace of mind. “I think [the ordinance] will protect the public if they are unfortunate enough to get into an accident involving an Uber vehicle because it requires a minimum amount of liability insurance and a background check by the police department that the operator is qualified to drive the vehicle in the state of New Jersey.”
“I don’t see any problem,” he added, “in holding Uber drivers to the same safety standard as existing transportation services.”
Ordinance 3-15 could be put up for a vote as soon as the next Town Council meeting on February 2. There would be an opportunity for questions from the public at that time.
