Local taxi companies losing business to Uber are crying foul. West Windsor officials are hearing them.
At a work session after the December 7 meeting, A-1 Limousine executive vice-president Jeff Shanker, AAA taxi owner Danny Palumbo, and Princeton Area Transportation owner Gary Szurkus spoke before Council and requested additional enforcement of township taxi ordinances.
“As it stands now, black and white, these TNC [transportation network] companies are just doing work illegally. Period,” said Palumbo, who is also on the West Windsor Taxi Association board, referring to Uber and similar services that link passengers to freelance drivers via cellphone apps.
According to police department sergeant Dan Mohr, who heads the traffic division, the West Windsor police have been issuing three type of summonses to Uber drivers caught picking up fares in the township: operating motor vehicles for hire without omnibus registration, not having a taxi driver’s license, and not having a taxi owner’s license.
The summonses include an appearance before the municipal court, and Mohr said Uber drivers have been pleading guilty to improper insurance, with Uber providing attorneys and paying the $2,000 ordinance fines. The Uber is valued at more than $40 billion.
Currently, taxis can only pick up fares in West Windsor if they are licensed by the township. Limousines can operate statewide, and the state legislature is evaluating legislation that would give companies such as Uber and Lyft statewide operating authority.
Shanker said the passenger ground transportation agency realizes it is behind the times, but he argues incumbent taxi drivers are not competing on a level playing field as they have complied with commercial insurance regulations, vehicle safety inspections, and driver background checks.
Regarding licensing fees and background checks, Szurkus said: “We’re going to do what you folks have asked us to do.”
The township has 43 taxi licenses, and car owners are required to renew their license every year for $100 per car. Each car may have multiple drivers, who are fingerprinted and undergo background checks and physicals. The largest cost may be the commercial vehicle insurance taxis and limousines carry. The latter are required to have $1.5 million policies.
No Uber representatives were present. Township clerk Sharon Young said attempts were made to invite Uber to the work session.
Council member Hemant Marathe said they are considering a resolution urging the state legislature to pass legislation that would clarify the rules and provide guidance for what is allowed and not allowed.
