Outrage Over Proposed $1.00 Per Ride Uber/Lyft Tax
by Alex Lloyd Gross
Most Philadelphians do not make $250,000 per year with a yearly Cost Of Living Adjustment. Mayor Cherelle Parker does. That is why she is feeling no pain about introducing a bold tax for ride shares in the city. Previously, she went to 20 cents a ride, then bumped it up to $1.00 per ride, if the side starts or stops in the city.
People are up in arms over this, especially tourists and people that do not drive. If city officials think Uber/Lyft will absorb the tax, they are on drugs. in fact, Uber said they will pass it onto their customers. The money raised will go to fund city schools.
Bottom line, the majority of people do not care about an ambitious plan to fund the schools, especially if they have no children in the public school system. This does not really affect folks that take 10 rides a year or less. Some in city council, like progressive Rue Landau is in favor of the increase. .She thinks it is a great idea.
Alex Lloyd Gross Photo Delaware Valley News.com Philadelphia City Hall.
The funding does not impact planned school closures or long-term facilities decisions. The district will continue to address its facilities master plan separately, alongside ongoing efforts to secure additional support from Harrisburg. They will also continue to evaluate central office efficiencies, including freezing vacancies, reducing administrative costs, and cutting low-return programs.
The guy ( or girl) on a date (or date gone wrong) is going to have to pay this. This is like the failed soda tax, which saw low income and marginalized people have to pay the most . Those that live near the Montco/Bucks or Delco borders simply do their shopping in soda tax free areas across the border.. It’s easy for them when they live within a few miles of the border.
Those in the inner city have no reliable transportation and when they use a ride share, it’s usually for a night out or for an essential errand. A city council person who makes about $158,000/year just decided that a single mom in the inner city gets to pay more money for a ride share, when that single mom works two or three jobs to make $40,000 a year, if she is lucky. Mayor Parker said she is not responsible for ride share companies passing the buck increase to riders.
A portion of the revenue will also support targeted economic mobility initiatives, including free SEPTA passes for eligible essential School District employees.
A serious problem will be the emergence of gypsy cabs, People with a car that pick up and take people all over the city for a very reduced rate. They are unregulated.
Alex Lloyd Gross Photo Delaware Valley News.com Philadelphia School District Headquarters.
The proposal also includes a three-year pilot program, in partnership with the Philadelphia Parking Authority, to help eligible residents resolve license and registration suspensions caused by unpaid parking tickets. Through this program, residents could receive grants to pay down outstanding balances, have late fees waived, restore their driving privileges, and reconnect to work and opportunity. Revenue generated from resolved tickets may ultimately support the School District. There is no word on if this effects red light and speed camera violations. Some people feel this proposal is incondite and ambiguous at best.
What about non city residents? A good portion out delinquent citations are owned by suburbanites. Perhaps you support this tax. Maybe you oppose it, There is public comment times that will be ongoing through May. Check with your local council person to find a location near you.