PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Dorel Tamam, Head of Mobile Operations at Curb Mobility on Intro 277
5:02:13
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121 sec
Dorel Tamam, representing Curb Mobility, testifies against Intro 277, arguing that it would make taxis less competitive in the e-hail market. He emphasizes the importance of flexible pricing for taxis to compete with high-volume for-hire vehicles (HVFHVs) and maintain their market share.
- Tamam highlights that taxis have lost 50% of their rides to TNCs between 2017-2022
- He notes that e-hail accounts for 10-15% of taxi trips, which could be lost without flexible pricing
- The testimony emphasizes the need for fairness in market competition and the potential negative impact on drivers' earnings if Intro 277 is passed
Dorel Tamam
5:02:13
Thank you for the opportunity to address intro277.
5:02:17
My name is Dorel Tomam, and I'm the head of mobile operations at Curb Mobility where I oversee our EAL services.
5:02:24
We do not support intro277 and fail to keep taxis competitive.
5:02:29
If a minimum pay is put upon the taxi industry, for eHealth jobs, then that same standard should be put throughout the industry, so taxis don't lose competitiveness within the market and existing earnings opportunity.
5:02:42
Between 20172022, taxis have lost 50% of their rides from TNCs and have not recovered.
5:02:49
In 2017, the Flexhare pilot was started, which saw immediate impacts for the taxi industry.
5:02:56
New business was able to be attracted to taxis, such as the accessorize program, corporate travel accounts, and nonemergency medical transportation.
5:03:04
Markets that have previously stayed away from taxis due to the inability of competitive peer range pricing.
5:03:12
Curb has also helped bring consumer lives through our Curb app and partnerships with notable TNCs and other partners through their integration into our network.
5:03:21
For March of this year, about 10% to 15% of rides were eHealth, which overrides the industry would have not captured without its flexibility in pricing and could have been distributed to other service classes.
5:03:35
The reason why the council should avoid setting higher pay rates for taxis are rooted in fairness market compare on market competition and the impact of drivers.
5:03:44
To reiterate some key points, downhill volume is down 50%, and eHealth has accounted for 10 to 15% of trips which could have gone to other service classes providing more earnings opportunities for taxi drivers.
5:03:57
Taxes were able to get ehill rise from rates being flexible.
5:04:00
Without the flexibility of rates, an uncompetitive environment is created, pricing taxes out of the their opportunity of eHealth rides to the choice of consumers, programs, and rides from partners.
5:04:11
Lastly, drivers have the freedom of choice when deciding
Frank Haley
5:04:14
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