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
Votes are in: ‘Fan favorite’ winners bake in support at KC Chamber showcase; Top 10 coming April 21
Editor’s note: The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce is a non-financial partner of Startland News, which serves as the media partner for the Small Business Superstars program. Two Black- and women-owned ventures were named “fan favorites” Tuesday in a public vote that followed this week’s Small Business Showcase at Union Station. The honors are…
New Frontier diagnoses need, expands its imaging solution to rural, underserved patients
A hands-on Kansas City healthtech company is extending its diagnostic imaging services to support clinics across Kansas and Missouri with a focus on rural health centers and “lookalike” clinics serving patients in underserved communities and healthcare deserts. New Frontier Mobile Diagnostics was founded to improve access to imaging care for patients regardless of race, gender,…
AltCap launches Heartland expansion to aid more small biz typically overlooked by lenders
An expanded geographic footprint for AltCap will see the Kansas City-based small business lender make capital more accessible for entrepreneurs in Missouri, Kansas, Texas, and Colorado. The mission-driven Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) finances small businesses and community-driven real estate development projects that create more economically-inclusive communities. “AltCap’s expansion has better positioned us for long…
Palacana stand debuts at Kauffman Stadium; opening major league gate to more small businesses
Being the first Kansas City-based Latino franchise to have a concession stand in Kauffman Stadium is a dream come true, shared Palacana owner and CEO Jose Luis Valdez. Palacana — which has six locations across the metro and an ice cream and paleta production facility in Roeland Park — is known for its fresh paletas,…