CHICAGO – Cab Drivers United/AFSCME 31, Chicago’s cab drivers union, applauded the City of Chicago’s action to prohibit so-called “rideshare” services like UberX and Lyft from picking up passengers at O’Hare and Midway.

“While there is still a lot of work left to do in order to level the playing field between Chicago’s licensed professional cab drivers and those who drive for rideshare services like UberX and Lyft, this is a great step toward the fairness cab drivers deserve as ambassadors of the city” said Cheryl Miller, a Cab Drivers United/AFSCME Council 31 member and Chicago cab driver of the last 20 years.

“Services like UberX and Lyft provide the same service as licensed professional cab drivers, yet they aren’t held to the same standards. Among the areas lacking, is a serious gap in commercial liability insurance that puts the public at risk in the event of an accident” added Miller.

“Our cabs undergo twice yearly 70+ point inspections by a garage licensed by the City of Chicago and before we’re given a public chauffeur’s license we must submit to a law enforcement based background check” continued Miller, “none of these checks are in place for drivers with services like UberX and Lyft, and that needs to change.”