The City Council Transportation Committee approved five bills regulating the for-hire vehicle industry and one aimed at curbing Times Square’s costumed—and topless—characters

The Times Square bill gives the Department of Transportation the right to set rules for all the city’s plazas and could result in Elmo and his ilk being confined to particular areas. (…..) The new rules for cabs serve to level the playing field for yellow taxis and for-hire services, including Uber. The bills will modify rules for pickup zones and vehicle retirement, and require companies to secure personal information they collect on passengers.

One bill would mandate that car-service companies stick to a price within 20% of whatever fare they initially quote passengers. Another measure would create a universal license for yellow cabs and for-hire driving, making it easier for taxi medallion owners to compete for drivers. “It will provide more drivers to have the opportunity to respond to the demand of consumers,” said committee Chairman Ydanis Rodriguez, D-Manhattan. He added that the bills were the culmination of discussions with the yellow-cab industry and competitors including Uber and Lyft.

Read more:

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20160406/BLOGS04/160409929/bills-regulating-uber-pedestrian-plazas-sail-through-city-council

• New Uber-rules making their way through NY City Council.