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
Fresh funding brings Flow Forward to $8M in capital; pushes startup closer to first human clinical trials
An additional $1.2 million in Series A financing puts Fairway-based medical technology company Flow Forward closer to human clinical trials for hemodialysis patients, said Dr. Nicholas Franano. The new investment — from a group of investors, including Mid-America Angels — brings Flow Forward’s total funding raised to date to more than $8 million, said Franano,…
Freelance Exchange plans expo for gig-economy creators, panel on hiring solopreneurs
An expo this week in Johnson County will put the work of freelance creators on display, as well as offer insight into the minds of Kansas City solopreneurs, said Cami Travis-Groves. The FX Portfolio Showcase — set for 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center — is expected to…
Movista exit: Mid-America Angels portfolio firm scores $12M growth equity investment
A $12 million Series A growth equity investment in Movista is a significant win for Mid-America Angels, as well as for the region, said Laura McCoolidge. The Arkansas-based startup — which uses a mobile-first, real-time platform to power labor and workforce management software for retailers, manufacturers, and service providers — is among the leading portfolio…
Startup Crawl returning Oct 5 for First Friday with festival-style entertainment, innovation
Editor’s note: Startup Crawl and Startland News are both programs of the Kansas City Startup Foundation, though the content below was produced independently by Startland. Startup Crawl has a carnival feel to it, said Lauren Conaway, noting the returning event is positioned to help startups collide with people who wouldn’t typically encounter the early-stage businesses.…