TKC EXCLUSIVE AND BREAKING NEWS!!! KANSAS CITY YELLOW CAB BOSS BILL GEORGE FACT CHECKS KC STAR TAXI DEREGULATION SCREED AND CHALLENGES LYFT: 'EITHER WAY, WE'RE A PLAYER'
Our TKC blog community brings the LATEST BREAKING NEWS from the drama of Lyft ride-share service in the Kansas City area.
Recently, the Dead Tree Media offers only old school editorial opinion that strangely sides with the out-of-town Internets start-up. Take a look: Give KC a lift by expanding ride options
There aren't a lot facts in that screed so, to keep the conversation going with some original reporting. We sent a message to Kansas City Transportation Group Chief Executive Bill George and he graciously sent this reply.
To wit . . .
YELLOW CAB BOSS BILL GEORGE FACT CHECKS KANSAS CITY TAXI CODES AND CHALLENGES THE LYFT RIDE SHARE OPERATORS!!!
Here is the word from Bill George EXCLUSIVELY AND FIRST on TKC:
"In 2011 the city increased annual taxicab and livery permit fees by 50%. Their stated purpose was to hire more investigators to stop illegal taxis from operating. They acknowledged that unlicensed drivers were dangerous to the public. They were specifically citing gypsy cabs circling the P&L District and preying on unsuspecting passengers We pay an extra 40,000 per year for this new fee. We expect enforcement of the laws
"We're opposed to Lyft claiming they are different than a cab service. There isn't any difference. They respond to on demand calls and charge a fee for transportation. If they want to do away with the taxicab permit laws, we're ok with that. As long as they understand there's either laws for every cab operator or laws for none. Either way, we're a player"
Now, this isn't as sexy as the previous open challenge betwixt old school taxi services and tech entrepreneurs going up against local laws . . . However, insiders offered us a look at this report that details taxi cab deregulation consequences. We're posting it because the info is going to be referenced quite a bit as this debate moves forward.
Again, we hear that Lyft is getting ready to pull the plug on their KC operation but it's surprising to see Dead Tree Media spin their local opinion toward out of town Silicon Valley tech people instead of with local cabbies and their company.
Developing . . .
Star is out in JoCo, they don't use cabs there.
ReplyDeleteThe Star also supported deregulation in the 80's and it turned out to be a disaster.
ReplyDeleteReally? What about 10/10??
ReplyDeleteHipsters vs status quo insider money.
ReplyDeleteHipsters don't stand a chance.
I thought they all wanted to walk or ride bikes anyway.
The innovation capital of the country!
Existing cab companies do not want to do away with licensing. All large established business want to make if more difficult for competitors to enter their market. Just the way things are and with a few strategic campaign contributions they usually can make it happen.
ReplyDeleteBill sucks and whines like Glazer
ReplyDeleteTony, do you drive a Bill George cartel cab? It would explain why you are against public transit for ape-shit crazy reasons. Perhaps you drive the overnight shift, which is why you are now a day sleeper -- the blog is hardly ever updated in the mornings and midday anymore.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Comrade Kim Clause of the teachers union will collect some signatures and make everything better.
ReplyDelete7:51 AM
ReplyDeleteMaybe Tony drives a gypsy cab? That would explain his hatred of transit, Bill George's Westport shuttle bus, the "liberty" caucus and the single airport terminal plan. He has to have a special interest here, because his public interest-shaded arguments are always so lame.
It would be sad to see Lyft leave. Yellow Cab NEVER SHOWS UP when requested. A friend of mine called YC to come get him at a bar after drinking too much hours before the bar closed. Guess what? The bar closed, no cab. He had to beg the bartender for a ride home.
ReplyDeleteHey 7:51. Why don't you start a blog and work it 24/7 365 ? Didn't think so lard ass, go get the last stale doughnut from the break room. Hurry.
ReplyDeleteOMG what am I going to do! My parent's in Nebraskculdesacia just recharged my credit card account for another year of funemployment, leisure, and art! I though was KC cool! How am I going to get around to sell my pubic hair weaving art essentials! Please Mr. Mayor don't stop innovation!!!
ReplyDeleteMr. Tony,
ReplyDeletePlease ask that crazy Mayor if we can afford a lawsuit from the regulated cab companies. The judgement would not be in our favor..... Uneven application of the law.
Maybe we can go into business together. Operate a mobile saloon. Let the patrons decide how much to give us... As long as they paid the standard tip first.
My aunt used to work for Bill George as an accountant. After a couple of years, she beat it to a different job. Her impression?...crook, big time.
ReplyDeleteYC is a joke. My son and his friends routinely use cabs to get around on weekend nights when they go to a bar. He tells me that they have to anticipate when they want to leave. It takes forever for YC to show up, if they show up at all.
BOTTOMLINE:
ReplyDeleteKCMO City Hall is all about bureaucracy and meddling in others affairs to justify their existence.
KC Star is dinosaur media! Pick up a copy and tabulate how many pages contain over 50% ad space, and of the remaining, note how much is from non-KC Star staff. KC Star staff contribute a minority of the articles appearing. They should distribute the paper for free as it's an advertiser with a sprinkling of news....old news!
Yellow Cab doesn't want deregulation. When you presently enjoy a near monopoly in your business, the one thing you don't want is competition.
My assumption is that TKC is a one-man operation, and I respect the work that goes into it every day. Also, Tony promotes free speech, allowing you to disagree with him, and refers to readers affectionately as douchebags, which seems appropriate for many comments.
How will I be able to spend daddy's money on oxygen infused $14 tacos if I don't have a mustache car to call!!
ReplyDeleteLyft got a cease and desist order apparently. Of course you won't hear about it in the media here since it's just an organ of city hall.
ReplyDeleteCan't really blame Lyft if they do leave. After all they just scored a major market in Houston (nearly 6 million residents). Houston agreed to change it's ordinances and come into the new century. KC isn't even in the same world in terms of innovation. Bringing Lyft or any real innovation to the Midwest is like taking moonshiners out of the hills of North Carolina. Hekk, look at Google. They come here to innovate, do a couple of money loaded areas and then say fuck these hicks and off they go.
ReplyDeleteHaving a hard time making a race bait or cum comment today TKC.
ReplyDeleteRun out and post something that we can make bigoted comments or disrespect a decent local female.
Then we will get some posts!
fyi,,,,,
ReplyDelete10/10 taxi owned by George
z trip owned by George
he's an entrepreneur and smart
businessman in todays world.
he'll get his way.
lyft/uber etc. won't come to kc
because the ride industry is all
taken up.
but when we had no cabs in joco
George gambled and set up 10/10
hes just protecting his business.
northing wrong with that is their
you cheap ass right wingers.
You want freedome of business..
then stop complaining about
free enterprise and using your
assets to protect your investments.
right wingers? WHOA! hipsters are on the right wing? thats a news flash
ReplyDeleteWhat this town needs is a new stoner group to fight this fight.
ReplyDeleteCall it:
CabBlock!
7:51 & 8:17: Get a grip. Tony's not against transit. Buses are transit. Streetcars, on the other hand, are a budget-busting anachronism that failed once and will fail again if we're stupid enough to give them a reincarnation.
ReplyDelete1:38 comment
ReplyDeleteI'm available for the calendar photo shoot.
Oh no! No more hipster rides to take instagram photos in!
ReplyDeleteBottom line: Avoid minorities and the lower classes by using Uber and Lyft. For a while.
ReplyDeleteAre all the cabs at PL somali?
ReplyDeleteTony got the race bait post up for Sterling. If he gets a local female, we can bounce 50 posts.
ReplyDeleteAlthough, most are back and forth comments.
Breaking News: Worlds of Fun kiddie ride operator busted for running an illegal taxi service without a license..... more at 6.
ReplyDeleteSuper Shuttle does a good job of serving the needs of KCMO's citizens without City Hall getting involved.
ReplyDelete4:45 funny
ReplyDelete