North Carolina’s “gig economy” would take a major hit under a pro-labor union bill that may soon be heard in the U.S. House, experts say. House Resolution 2474, “Protecting the Right to Organize Act,” is a nightmarish collection of pro-union provisions that could wither state economies and hurt individual workers, say several economists and researchers....
Starting Monday, Aug. 5, bus riders to Research Triangle Park will be able to get free or discounted rides from Uber or Lyft to reach the last stretch of their destination. One transportation expert says this is a sign that public transit is on the way out. “The partnerships between transit agencies and ride-hailing companies...
A woman in South Carolina was killed when she mistakenly got into a car she thought was an Uber. N.C. lawmakers have introduced legislation to prevent something similar from happening here, but a policy expert from the free-market R Street Institute warned of the potential for over-criminalization in the pursuit of enhancing public safety. Nick...
The N.C. House, as lawmakers began reviewing the budget May 1, supported a sprawling transportation budget, allocating $2.3 billion for North Carolina’s Highway Fund, and $1.6 billion for the state’s Highway Trust Fund for fiscal year 2019-20. Spending for the Highway Fund is up $156 million. The Highway Trust Fund, which is mainly used...
Raleigh residents soon won’t see Bird or Lime e-scooters zipping around town. Electric scooter companies, Bird and Lime, announced March 28 they were leaving Raleigh, citing city regulations as the driving force. In statements to WRAL news, the e-scooter companies said they will be leaving North Carolina’s capital. “Our time in Raleigh must come to...
The public transportation system in Wilson, as in many places, needs taxpayer subsidies to keep the buses running. The difference between the cost of operating the system and revenues, led by passenger fares, is more than $1 million a year. As is the case with other cities, too few people use public transportation. “When we...
RALEIGH – The new law sets minimum liability insurance requirements for ride sharing companies. It also requires the companies to conduct background checks of drivers, specifies that drivers are partners independent contractors rather than employees, and sets parameters letting the companies enter into contracts to service airports in the state.
RALEIGH – A bill regulating “transportation network companies” such as Uber and Lyft at the state level cleared the House Finance Committee Thursday, putting it one step closer to becoming law. The bill, which sets minimum liability insurance requirements and requires companies to conduct background checks on drivers, is expected to be on the House floor next week.
RALEIGH — A bill setting up state regulation of transportation network companies such as Uber and Lyft cleared a House Committee on Tuesday. Rep. Bill Brawley, R-Mecklenburg, the House handler of the bill, said the legislation is needed to have uniform regulations statewide and prevent cities — including those owning commercial airports — from setting up different sets of rules.
RALEIGH — State senators expressed strikingly differing opinions on whether government should start regulating transportation network companies such as Uber and Lyft. Some called for the companies and their drivers to maintain insurance coverage that’s more onerous than that required of taxi drivers while others argued that the state’s current regulations are sufficient to protect public safety.
RALEIGH — Frustrated by their lack of authority to police upstart businesses in the “sharing economy” — a marketplace relying on direct negotiations between providers and consumers — some North Carolina municipalities are asking the General Assembly for permission to regulate businesses such as Uber, Lyft, and Airbnb.
