The Ridescore system grades cities for their regulatory friendliness to hired drivers—transportation network companies, taxis, and limos. Washington D.C. offers the most friendly regulations for hired drivers, Las Vegas the least.
According to a November 12, 2014 press release from the R Street Institute, "Ridescore 2014: Hired Driver Rules in U.S. Cities grades 50 of the largest American cities on their legislative framework and friendliness toward Transportation Network Companies (or TNCs, like Uber, Lyft and Sidecar), taxicabs and limousines. The grades for each segment are then combined to give each city a cumulative grade for its transportation regulation." The R Street Institute and Engine Advocacy jointly released the study, which is clearly advocates for business friendly regulations in each of the three segments.
The weighted driver for hire rating gives top marks to Washington D.C., Minneapolis, and Fresno. As for the hotly contested and still controversial transportation network company regulations, top marks went to Austin, Colorado Springs, Denver, Fresno, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Oakland, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, and Washington D.C.
Las Vegas has, by far, the lowest weighted score, according to the Ridescore system.
The R Street Institute has also created the Ridescore website to present the findings of the report and offer a portal for users to advocate for making cities "more transportation friendly."
Read the full story: Ridescore 2014: Hired Driver Rules in U.S. Cities [pdf]
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