Thursday, September 26, 2013

The September 19 CPUC meeting video is linked below. Archive Video Part 1 has all the relevant information.
From 04:12 - 38:35, almost all speeches are made either by TNC drivers and customers, or taxi industry representatives.
Pro-taxi speakers include Charles M. from Senior Action Network (12:55), Jim Gillespie (14:14), Martin Kazinski (17:45), Hansu Kim (22:02), Ben Valis (23:17), Trevor Johnson (25:52), Zachariah (26:35), Ed Healy (28:55), Dave Schneider (30:10), Ron Walter (31:40), Mary McGuire (32:52), Bart Goldstein (34:14), and Robert Cesana (35:45).
At 39:55, the Commissioners make comments and then vote unanimous approval. The item ends at 59:04, shortly after president Peevey laughingly remarks, "Bon Voyage. Farewell."
I viewed the proceedings from an overflow room with 100 Lyft supporters who reacted to the approval vote as though they had won the Powerball Lotto. It was a very surreal experience, stuck in Geek Central, the audience roaring approval at their colleagues' speeches, actively hissing at Mary McGuire's remarks.
Although uncertain, I believe the new rules will be effective in about three or four months. Apparently, CPUC has 45 days to establish TNC application forms and procedures, followed by a 60-day window for TNC applications. One silver lining is that some of the unfair competitive advantages which TNC's have been utilizing the past fourteen months have now been replaced by insurance and other requirements that will increase their costs.

http://www.californiaadmin.com/cpuc.shtml