Editor’s note: Billy Penn is analyzing the Pa. Governor’s Race candidates by looking at 10 pressing issues for Pennsylvania millennials. Our first pieces looked at their stances on marijuana, liquor, education and health care. Up today: rideshare.
Uber brought ride-sharing into sharp focus as it introduced its UberX service, and the Philadelphia Parking Authority responded with a sting operation, police on horseback, thousand-dollar fines plus the impound of those vehicles. (Follow our story on ride-sharing in Philadelphia here.)
And as luck has it, we finally have an issue that our gubernatorial candidates agree on:
Gov. Tom Corbett (R):
Corbett is in favor of ride-sharing and has said he would support legislation that would let these services operate in the state. (Harrisburg’s increasingly sclerotic legislature characteristically declined to vote on such a measure in this session, ratcheting up the drama.) He’s in favor of setting up permanent licensing for companies like Uber and Lyft, which currently have temporary authority.
However, Corbett has not specifically addressed a proposal that would exclude Philly from being a part of a new state law. Its cabs are technically regulated by the PPA.
Challenger Tom Wolf (D):
Tom Wolf’s campaign says it supports a bill from state Sen. Wayne Fontana, D-Allegheny, that would specifically legalize ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft.
Wolf has said he’s not in favor of excluding Philadelphia from the bill. But Wolf’s campaign has said the Democrat would support city-wide changes in order to “create a level playing field that allows both taxis and ride-sharing businesses to compete for customers,” according to PlanPhilly.
