Tuesday, October 06, 2015

Ohio Senate Debates Fate of Ride Sharing

If this article is right, today in the Ohio Senate there is a hearing about a bill that would regulate ride sharing companies like Uber and Lyft.

The gist of the bill is to set up the policies under which these companies would operate in Ohio for the foreseeable future.  Requiring these outfits to be permitted by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio is really the only way to make sure that there are some standards being met by the companies.

For the most part, this blog advocates an open market.  The more the merrier.  Competition is good for business and consumers alike.  It may seem odd that we advocate any regulation at all of this industry, but there have been a number of incidents with these enterprises that have made the need for a watchdog present.

The bill has already passed the Ohio House, so if it gets through the Senate it will be off to the governor for signature.  Uber has been planning a large expansion in Ohio, so the issue is a hot one.