Uber's Florida Expansion Hits Road Block
Friday, May 2, 2014
By: Grant Gentry

May 2, 2014 | WMFE, Orlando - Legislation to allow app-based car service Uber to expand its operations in Florida has hit a road block.

Both House Bill 1389 and Senate Bill 1618 are unlikely to pass both houses before the session ends in Tallahassee this evening.

The companion bills aim to remove the cap on limousine licenses, the minimum fare requirements, and the minimum wait-time laws. 

“And all these things are really intended to limit competition in the transportation space.  Essentially to give taxis the exclusive monopoly to charge affordable rates or get transportation quickly,” says Rachel Holt, Uber’s East Coast General Manager.

Uber currently operates its “Black Car” program in Jacksonville.

Opponents of Uber say it’s an unregulated taxi service and should be regulated in the same way as taxis and limos.