Shreveport Council Votes 6-0 To Amend Ride Sharing Law, Paves Way For Lyft
The Shreveport City Council voted 6-0 to amend the city's ordinance on ride-sharing services, removing a "hold harmless" agreement that would remove the city from liability. The move was made as part of negotiations with companies like Uber and Lyft.
Earlier today, Shreveport City Councilman Michael Corbin told KEEL News that this move was pretty simple, and is in-line with what most cities have done. However none of the other language from the original ordinance would be changing with today's vote.
But just before the meeting this afternoon, KEEL News learned that Uber had issued a new set of demands, including a reduction in the criminal background check standards. These new demands were not brought up in today' council meeting, and a vote was taken on simply removing the already agreed upon language. Effectively paving the way for Lyft, but putting Uber in question.
At the time Uber issued their new demands, they also included a vague warning to the city that they would be forced to issue a statement against the city if these demands were not met.
After the vote, Councilman Corbin told KEEL:
"Today the City Council unanimously passed a change to the existing Ordinance related to vehicles for hire. Based on comments from LYFT's legal representative we should see them in our market very soon. UBER has not responded to the changes yet."