SAN ANTONIO – A group of local taxicab and limousine drivers are planning a protest for Thursday to voice their concerns about ride-share services that continue to operate in San Antonio without permits.
The drivers said they have no problem sharing the road with ride-share companies like Uber and Lyft, as long as they play by the same rules the professional drivers have been following for years.
The drivers said while they're required to go through background checks, carry special insurance and have their vehicles inspected and set specific rates, the ride-share companies don't seem to want to follow the same rules.
They said that puts the riding public at risk.
"We live by the ground-transportation rules, you all want to come into our city, conform, but no, they want the city to conform to their business model. We say it shouldn't be that way, they should play by the rules," said Robert Gonzales with the Transportation Safety Coalition.
The ride-share services continue to operate in the city despite a cease-and-desist order issued by the San Antonio Police Department and requests by the City Council's public safety committee to discontinue operations while discussions are still taking place.
The protest is planned for 10:30 a.m. Thursday on the steps of City Hall.