The mayor of Burlington is asking the City Council to approve new rules that would allow ridesharing companies to continue operating while allowing conventional taxi companies to compete.
The Burlington Free Press reports Mayor Miro Weinberger told the council Monday his proposal would improve rider safety. He noted that an Uber driver licensed to drive a taxi was arrested three weeks ago on sexual assault charges.
Weinberger's proposal would last up to a year and allow the council to apply existing taxi regulations to ridesharing companies, such as those regarding vehicle safety and background checks.
The council unanimously agreed to send the proposal to the Ordinance and Licensing committees for review.
The committees will evaluate the proposal in coming weeks.
Uber began operating in Burlington in October.
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