Will rider safety be the Achilles heel for Uber?

Will rider safety be the Achilles heel for Uber?: "Lyft spokeswoman Erin Simpson said in an emailed statement that the company has "pioneered strict safety screening criteria that far exceed what's required for taxis and limos in nearly every municipality across the country."

Regulators at the California Public Utilities Commission are revisiting ride-hailing company rules they put in place last year. Among the questions: "Did we get the criminal background check right, is it exhaustive as it should be," said Marzia Zafar, director of the agency's policy and planning division. That review is likely to take about a year.

She did note that most of the 100 or so phone calls the commission received this year and converted into written complaints against ride-hailing companies had to do with fee charges, not safety.

Cab drivers have seized on the safety issue, however, saying that taxi drivers have to pass government-standard checks which cost more but do a better job screening out bad applicants. The Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association has launched a "Who's Driving You?" campaign targeting Uber and Lyft.

"Once consumers realize Uber and Lyft are cutting costs, they'll begin to shy away," said Dave Sutton, an association spokesman.

Ortutay reported from New York. Paul Elias contributed from San Francisco."



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