Honolulu lawmakers vote to cap ride sharing surge pricing
Honolulu could become the first city in the US to outlaw ride hailing surge pricing.
City council lawmakers voted to curb the practice, prompting an angry reaction from Uber, which said it may jeopardize service in the city and beyond.
Uber has called on customers to oppose the move.
Honolulu City Council approved by a 6-3 vote a bill to cap the practice but it still needs to be signed off by Mayor Kirk Caldwell.
Hawaiinewsnow.com reports the Caldwell administration has shown some opposition to capping surge pricing as Uber and Lyft already show the final fare before a ride begins, unlike traditional taxis.
If it goes ahead it would curb innovation and limit consumer choice, Uber said.
"The move ‘is a solution in search of a problem, as we’ve been told the City hasn’t received a single consumer complaint about our dynamic pricing model,’ Tabatha Chow, Uber’s Honolulu senior operations manager said in a statement.
Chow said taxi fares in Honolulu are the priciest in the country and Uber is typically 40% cheaper than that.
Lyft also responded in a statement saying: "When demand for rides is greater than the number of drivers on the road, passengers may pay an extra percentage on top of the base ride amount."
The Honolulu Department of Customer Services also opposes a cap but would set a maximum price if required to do so by law.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps