Lyft wants Houston to hit the brakes on new rideshare rules

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New rules regarding vehicle-for-hire services in Houston are set to take effect Nov. 4, but Lyft Inc. wants the city to make some changes to them.

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Olivia Pulsinelli

Web producer- Houston Business Journal

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New rules regarding vehicle-for-hire services in Houston are set to take effect next week, but Lyft Inc. wants the city to make some changes to them, the Houston Chronicle reports.

The San Francisco-based transportation technology company launched its rideshare app in Houston Feb. 21. The app lets drivers, who are prescreened and approved by Lyft, connect with people who are looking for rides.

Lyft and Uber Technologies Inc., another California-based rideshare company, had been operating in Houston illegally, but the Houston City Council in August approved the new rules that would allow them to operate legally.

The Chronicle reports that Uber and Lyft already have procedures that are similar to those outlined in some of the new rules.

However, a Lyft spokesman told the Chronicle his company's procedures are more efficient than the city's.

Lyft plans to ask the city to delay the implementation of the rules, which is set for Nov. 4, or it will "pause operations" in Houston, another Lyft executive told the Chronicle.

Olivia Pulsinelli is the web producer for the Houston Business Journal's award-winning website. Follow her on Twitter for more.

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