City Issues Statement Regarding Permits for Vehicles for Hire

COLUMBIA, SC – The City of Columbia has issued the following statement regarding the process for issuing permits for vehicles for hire:

Currently, Columbia permits vehicles for hire compliant with the regulations found in Chapter 24 of the City’s Code.  The ride-sharing platform utilized by entities such as Uber and Lyft, does not comply with those regulations and as such would not be permitted in the City.  We are aware that the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff has filed an action with the Public Service Commission seeking to determine whether those entities would be considered a Passenger Carrier in SC with a public hearing scheduled for September 18, 2014.  In the City, taxicab companies are required to be approved by the ORS and PSC before a business license can be issued.  We will be unable to license ridesharing services until the PSC and ORS have made a decision on how to regulate ridesharing services and provide the companies with the approvals needed for a City business license.  The City will review its Ordinances in light of any Commission determination as may be appropriate.  The City wants to remind its citizens that the safety of the consumer has always been, and will continue to be, of paramount importance in any vehicle-for-hire regulation in Columbia’s Code.