3271 S. Highland Drive, Suite 716 Las Vegas, NV 89109 Phone: 702.3847171. Toll Free: 8775324873 Fax: 702.384.4939 February 3, 2017 Re: 2017 Legislative Session {lam writing to you on behalf ofthe 2500 members of the ITPEU, OPEIU, Local 4873, which | represent as Executive Board Member. There are approximately 9,000 tax! drivers employed in the taxi industry that desperately need your help to survive due to unfair competition from and lack of regulation over TNCs. Working in the Las Vegas tax industry was traditionally a solid job where a driver could support his family and enjoy benefits such as health insurance, dental/vislon care, retirement benefits, vacation pay, and safety bonuses, but those days are gone unless we secure your help. | am not exaggerating ‘when | write to you that my member's jobs and the benefits that we have enjoyed are about to be lest if "we do not get help from you ths session. legal TNC drivers are taking food out of the mouths of my. ‘members and making it almost impossible for us to continue healthcare coverage. So you understand. driving a taxis a commission based job where drivers contribute toward their health insurance costs > every taxi trp that we lose is literally Income lost from taxi drivers and funds deprived from the: Insurance premiums that management contributes toward premiums, Here are the prablems that drivers are experiencing that make it challenging for them to mate = living or continue health coverage: ‘ Dennis R Arvington, President Dennis. Conley, Seretary/ Treasurer = Cindy Dich, Vice Prestaa March 3, 2017 ‘TNC CASH RUNS. Imagine how enraged my members are when they wait a taxl tines fora trip to see TNC drivers segally pull up to the front ofthe tne to transport a passenger fr cash. My members see countless “TNC drivers each day trotting for trips for cash where there is no insurance and Nevada recelves 0 taxes, TNC drivers do cash runs because they don't have to pay Uber or Lft thelr cut or taxes 12 Nevada, Cash runs are an uncontrollable problem that the NTA Is powerless to curb because the NTA has almast no presence onthe stret due to budget constrains. The NTA could endlessly impound Vehicles for cash runs iFthey had the budget, but they have almost no cops on the street, Regulations re well intentioned, but f there is no way to enforce therm, they are worthless. These cash runs are literally taking food out ofthe mouths ofthe drivers and ther fares LEGAL TIC VEHICLES ‘My members are secinga huge problem with vehicles that are not even “rea” Uber and Lt drivers, alla diver needs isa small U or Lytstickerin thelr window and they can start transporting passengers for cash Uber and Lyft decals can be purchased over the internet cr photocopied without {oing through the process of getting “hired” by Uber and tft. You shoul se the pooty maintained, dears that my members report are picking up passengers for cash onthe Strip with fake Uber and lyft Sickersin their windows. As you know, this means n taxes for Nevada, no Insurance forthe passenger rother motorists and a stolen trip from a tax driver. Again, the NTA is poweriess because they have “Simost no street presence to stop ths, | am told thatthe Governar will provide no more funding forthe NTAs0 a creative way of solving this problem must be found which | will present below. NO RESIDENTIAL SERVICE—UNLIMITED TNC VEHICLES “The 2015 session made a number of mistakes that did not beneft local’ transportation needs. Geographic restrictions were removed from all taxis and an unlimited number of TNCs were permitted to operate, Because there are no restitions on the number of TNCs or where they work allof these vehicles congregate on the Strip where 95% ofthe trips exst andthe Airport. This has created terrible triélock during busy weekends or conventions and deprived residents of service because cars ae natn their neighborhoods. Frankly, what should have happened is that TNCs should have been restricted to residential areas, Now, with all taxis on the Strip and Airport, TNCs are likely the Best cholee for residents to get ride, but the TNC wil often only come to your house if he/she can surge price you for {everal times the normal fae. The free market will nt solve this problem. It takes regulation to correct itand enforcement to make sure the fi takes effect,3 March 3, 2017 LUNSAFE & UNPROFESSIONAL TNC DRIVERS Taxi drivers ae trained how to drive safely on the Strip and effectively FBI background checked ‘and drug screened, but what my members are seeing from TNC drivers is iterlly an accident waiting to hhappen. There are @ massive number of TNC vehicles clogging port cocheres and the Strip corridor that simply do not understand how to safely and quickly get on and off resort properties to effectively move passengers. Tax drivers have reported that they recognized TNC, drivers who have been terminated from taxi companies due to drvg and or alcohol issues. HOWTO HELP Here Is alist of Items that can assist my members now, that will keep Uber and lyft or other ‘TNCs in Las Vegas, will ensure residents get transported and which fall under the heading of tax revenue for Nevada, public safety, labor protection, and consumer protection: PUBLICSAFETY 4) Fal heckground checks for allTNC drivers; 2), Brug testing for TNC drivers; 43) Health Cards for TNC rivers 4) Commercial insurance on TNC's must be 247 f the NTA s gong to get no added funding because cash runs make current TNC insurance ineffective; 5) TNC car inspections must be done by the state; slike letting the fox watch the hen house now; 66) TNC drivers have to be trained to deal with Strip road conditions; 7), Codity the joint operating memorandum between the TA and NTA which wil skmply allow the TA copsto cite and enforce NTA rules; the NTA will continue to have regulatory oversight of TNCS. TAKES 4). State sued decals on TNC front and rear bumper only aftr full permitting and registration with tax authorities; 2). Force Uber and Lyf to keep drivers of platform unless taxes paid; 3) Enforced fines for off APP trips; 4) Dramatically increased funding for the NTA to actualy enforce reguiations.4 March 3, 2017 (CONSUMER/LABOR PROTECTION 1) AIL TNC trips must be halled 2 minimum of 10 minutes in advance; this will allow tax drivers to transport passengers “on demand” and sllow TNCs to transport pre-reserved trips which is what they were intended to de; 2). No surge pricing permitted by TNCs; surge pricing Is “long hauling” on steroids which swells TNC numbers and gouges customers; 3). No excessive interest rates or terms for TNC car leases or vehicle purchases; 44) TNC drivers must be accurately notified ofthe actual earnings and expenses that they will encounter prior to leasing, purchasing or going on the TNC platform; 5) No excessively law or predatory pricing permitted from TNCS. You and the Democratic Party are in a position to help my members this session and | respectfully request your help to support my members full time jobs. IF I ean be of any further assistance to better explain these items, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely yours: Theale " Ruthie” fones ITPEU Representative, OPEIU, Local #4873