Lyft and Kansas City may reunite thanks to new ride-sharing law
April 27, 2017 | Bobby Burch
Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens on Monday signed legislation that could bring the ride-sharing company Lyft back to the Kansas City market.
Passed with strong support from Missouri lawmakers, Gov. Greitens’ signature sets forth regulations for ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft, including licensing fees, background checks and inspections.
Lyft halted its Kansas City operations in October of 2014 after the city established for-hire transportation regulations it deemed as too burdensome. In 2015 the company said it wouldn’t return to Kansas City, while Uber agreed to work within the new regulatory framework. Uber and Lyft issued statements saying the new law — which also exempts ride-sharing companies from local and municipal taxes — will allow them to expand throughout Missouri.
The law should help create a more competitive environment for ride-sharing firms in Kansas City, Mo. and create more jobs around the state. Lyft is now in operation in Kansas City, Kan. and Johnson County.
The Kansas City Star reports that the new law will spur most area taxis to operate like Uber and Lyft vehicles. Bill George — the CEO of Kansas City Transportation Group, which operates hundreds of taxis in the area — said that cabs operating under Yellow Cab and 10/10 Taxi will be shifted to zTrip, a “transportation network company” or TNC. TNCs fall under the same state licensing rules as Uber and Lyft.
2017 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Six takeaways from the digital transformation at Hallmark
It’s not just tech startups that innovate and disrupt. One of the Kansas City area’s largest firms, Hallmark Cards, recently launched a digital transformation. In 2015, the greeting card giant funneled thousands of products that were popular on the shelves to online sales. The firm also updated its social media practices to attract younger customers.…
Report: Kansas City’s tech workforce is growing faster than most big cities
Techies around the nation have flocked to Kansas City at a rate faster than many major cities, including New York City, Chicago, San Diego and others according to a recent report. CBRE’s annual Tech Talent Report found that between 2011 and 2016 Kansas City’s tech workforce grew 39 percent, adding about 15,000 new tech staffers…
How the Kansas City Chiefs became the No. 1 NFL team in social engagement
Most Kansas City Chiefs fans are likely aware that they hold the Guinness World Record for the “loudest crowd roar at a sports stadium.” But what fans may not know is how that same enthusiasm and energy translates to the Kansas City Chiefs’ social media engagement. Using a variety of platforms, the team’s social media…
After 2014 departure, Lyft operations return to KCMO
Kansas Citians now have more ridesharing options than just Uber. After nearly a three year hiatus, the ride-sharing giant Lyft on Sunday re-launched its operations in Kansas City, Mo., including Kansas City International Airport. Lyft’s arrival represents more local competition among Uber and Lyft, and more choices for riders in Kansas City. Lyft already was…