City says there are concerns about fatigued drivers, traffic congestion and pollution
Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc. are in the crosshairs of the city of San Francisco, as the city attorney said the ride-hailing companies have received subpoenas to turn over four years of records on driving practices, disability access and service.
City Attorney Dennis Herrera said Monday the records from Uber and Lyft are needed in response to growing concerns about commuting from long distances before starting 12- to 16-hour shifts, potentially elevating the risk of accidents with other drivers or pedestrians. He said there are also concerns from residents about the impact the companies are having on traffic congestion and efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, since the companies have a combined 45,000 vehicles on San Francisco roads.
The city said Monday that a public records request has also been sent to the California Public Utilities Commission for the information. He said the request to the commission seeks annual reports from Uber and Lyft dating back to 2013.
“No one disputes the convenience of the ride-hailing industry, but that convenience evaporates when you’re stuck in traffic behind a double-parked Uber or Lyft, or when you can’t get a ride because the vehicle isn’t accessible to someone with a disability or because the algorithm disfavors the neighborhood where you live,” Mr. Herrera said.
An Uber spokeswoman responded, “We’re more than happy to work with the city to address congestion, but it should be a comprehensive solution including construction, the city’s population increase, and the rise of online delivery services.”
Lyft said it “has always been focused on improving transportation access for people across all cities in which we operate. In San Francisco, nearly 30% of rides take place in underserved neighborhoods and 20% of Lyft rides begin or end at a public transit station. We also have a track record of working collaboratively with policy makers who regulate us, including the CPUC here in California, to ensure that our service complements existing transportation options.”
Uber is already engaged in a legal battle with the city about whether it has to comply with a city subpoena seeking contact information for drivers. The city sued Uber last month in San Francisco Superior Court, seeking records to determine whether the company’s drivers are properly registered to do business.
The company has resisted providing information, requesting that permission be sought from individual drivers before it is shared publicly.
Municipal, state and federal governments have turned up scrutiny on Uber and Lyft in recent years as the companies have become a larger part of the transportation picture.
Mr. Herrera said Uber and Lyft have 15 days to comply with the subpoenas.
The Wall Street Journal
By Bowdeya Tweh
June 5, 2017 4:15 p.m. ET
Write to Bowdeya Tweh at [email protected]