FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 29, 2015
Contact: James Hallinan (505) 660-2216
Santa Fe, NM – This morning, the Office of Attorney General Hector Balderas delivered a letter to the Public Regulation Commission regarding its upcoming action on Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft. Attorney General Balderas wants the PRC to strengthen public safety standards by ensuring TNCs retain proof of compliance with the same drug testing requirements that apply to taxi drivers. Additionally the Attorney General would like the PRC to take more input from the public in order to allow all businesses the chance to operate reasonably in New Mexico.
Attorney General Balderas stated, “I am asking the PRC to address the serious concerns I have about the safety of New Mexicans because while TNCs are subject to the same requirements as other motor carriers for drug and alcohol testing, they are not required to maintain those records. There is no way to monitor whether or not a TNC’s drivers are complying with alcohol and drug testing. I am asking the PRC to address that serious concern and to also take additional public input before it makes modifications necessary to ensure that the regulations both protect New Mexicans and make it possible for companies to reasonably operate in New Mexico.”
Please see attached for a copy of the letter from Attorney General Balderas.
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