Uberlobbyists

17 July 2015 By Richard Beales Follow @richardbeales1

The $50 bln ride-hailing app giant doesn’t help itself with its attitude to rules that hold back its business. And congestion in the Big Apple is a real concern. But Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to cap car-service growth pending study is just too convenient for the taxi industry.

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Uber Technologies on July 16 launched a new tab on its smartphone app and a video advertisement criticizing a measure proposed by the New York City Council that would cap the growth of large car-hailing services in the city at 1 percent for a year pending study of their possible traffic impact.

Uber’s campaign is aimed at Mayor Bill de Blasio, who supports the City Council bill, and argues that the move would harm passengers and drivers while not alleviating congestion.

A City Council report draws attention to the rapid growth of for-hire vehicle licenses in recent years as more than 75 related smartphone apps have emerged, in contrast to a relatively static number of taxi licenses. It cites possible concerns about congestion and other negative impacts.

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