A new coalition committed to bringing ridesharing to all of Minnesota launched at the Minnesota State Capitol on Thursday.
“Minnesotans for Ridesharing” includes business organizations, non-profits, restaurants, hospitality venues and individuals who believe the Minnesota legislature should act in 2018 to pass comprehensive statewide legislation. That legislation would help ensure Minnesotans in any city will have the option to use ridesharing technologies to reach their destinations.
“Innovative ridesharing companies are an important transportation option for residents and visitors in our state,” said Jonathan Weinhagen, President & CEO of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber. “Ridesharing is popular in the Twin Cities – people take hundreds of thousands of rides each month in Minneapolis and St. Paul, and the number of rides increases significantly each year. Thousands of people in the Twin Cities are drivers for ridesharing companies, working flexible hours and earning money on their own terms. This coalition is working to help bring ridesharing to all of Minnesota.”
Ridesharing uses Internet-based platforms to connect drivers with people in need of a ride. Drivers use their own cars and are connected with passengers through a variety of apps that operate in hundreds of cities and towns nationwide. It provides an inexpensive, safe way for people to get around by car on their own schedules and can be a useful source of flexible, part-time income for anyone with a clean driving record and a car. For local business owners, it brings in customers who would not otherwise be able to access their services, generating additional revenue. An economic impact report released by Lyft found that the Minneapolis-St. Paul economy saw an additional $26 million in 2017 thanks to the growing accessibility of Lyft rides.
The legislation, SF 2704/HF 3032, would implement a comprehensive statewide regulatory framework that would provide a single set of statewide rules for Transportation Network Companies.
Brett Buckner, Managing Director of OneMN.org, a coalition of organizations and individuals working to establish shared sustainable prosperity and a shared vision towards racial equity, social and economic inclusion, said, “We support ridesharing because we believe it provides a number of benefits to underserved communities. Ridesharing drivers can earn extra income, working on their own schedule as their own boss. Ridesharing also helps provide transportation access in areas that sometimes lack transit or other options. Those issues exist both in Minneapolis and Saint Paul and in Greater Minnesota.”
Senate chief author Sen. John Jasinski said, “Transportation innovations such as ridesharing help boost local economies, reduce intoxicated driving, and are affordable, convenient, safe, and user-friendly. Hundreds of thousands of rides are already happening in our state. This legislation will ensure that there are uniform regulations statewide, which will help attract drivers and passengers in additional Greater Minnesota communities.”
“Ridesharing is a great way to increase transportation options and provide more employment opportunities in rural Minnesota,” said House chief author Rep. Sandy Layman. “Sixty-eight percent of Lyft drivers are the primary earners of their household, and many are also entrepreneurs. Nearly 20 percent of Lyft drivers report that they own their own business. In addition, almost 3 in 10 Lyft drivers are women. Let’s do the right thing this session and pass statewide ridesharing legislation.”
Minnesotans for Ridesharing coalition members (as of March 1, 2018)
– Minneapolis Regional Chamber
– OneMN.org
– Acapulco Mexican Restaurants (8 locations)
– Bar Brigade
– Casper’s Cherokee of Eagan
– Dan Kelly’s Pub
– Delicata Pizza
– Devil’s Advocate
– Edina Grill
– Erik The Red
– Groveland Tap
– Highland Grill
– Longfellow Grill
– Red River Kitchen
– Republic
– The Freehouse
– The Lowry
– Three Squares
More information is available at www.ridesharingmn.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/ridesharingmn or on Twitter at @RidesharingMN.