Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne said it is good news for the North Country that a bill she cosponsored that would allow ride-hailing to start 10 days earlier than originally included in the 2017-18 budget has been signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo.

"The language included in the state budget made ride-hailing services legal upstate in mid-July. It’s simply common sense to move the start date up so people can use this service over the Fourth of July holiday," she said.

"We know July 4th is all too often marred by alcohol-related accidents. It is my hope that people will use ride-hailing services to get home safely from their celebrations, instead of getting behind the wheel themselves after they’ve been drinking. Moving the start date up by just over a week, to June 29, will make our North Country roadways safer and has the potential to save lives," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

Ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Lyft offer a convenient, predictable transportation option. They allow customers to know the price beforehand and pay digitally so they never have to worry about having enough cash on hand.

Moreover, ride-hailing apps can provide vital peace of mind – residents and visitors alike can enjoy a night out and be assured that they can get home safely and avoid drunk driving. By having the driver’s information, as well as that of the car and license plate, customers know who they’re expecting to pick them up.

The apps also allow users to track their route via GPS so they know they’re getting home without costly or worrisome detours. For many, it’s one less headache when planning to go out, Assemblywoman Jenne said.

She acknowledged she is uncertain about the impact ride-hailing services will have in the North Country.

"I suspect ride-hailing will be popular in college towns, the Thousand Islands area during the tourist season and in the Watertown-Fort Drum area. It may also set the stage for new transportation options becoming available in other portions of St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

The law requires that ride-hailing companies:

• obtain a license to operate from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) after providing proof of insurance;

• conduct a criminal background check on all potential drivers, including a review of the NYS Sex Offender Registry and the U.S. Department of Justice National Sex Offender Public Website;

• provide digital networks that display a picture of the driver and the make, model, color and license plate number of the vehicle before the passenger enters it;

• do not accept cash payment or solicit or accept street hails;

• implement a “zero-tolerance policy” regarding drug and alcohol use;

• adopt a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of destination, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age and sexual orientation; and

• implement and maintain a policy of providing accessibility to passengers with a disability and the accommodation of service animals.

The law also gives the state Division of Human Rights enforcement authority over complaints of discrimination, as well as requires the DMV to develop regulations to ensure ride-hailing vehicles are easily identifiable.

Further, insurance companies would be prohibited from canceling policies solely because the policyholder became a driver for a ride-hailing company. A ride-hailing insurance policy would also be required to provide no-fault benefits when there is a dispute as to whether a driver was acting as a ride-hailing driver at the time of an accident.

A task force will be established to analyze and advise on how to maximize effective and integrated transportation services for persons with disabilities in the ride-hailing company market.

Additionally, a state board will review issues related to the general operation of ride-hailing companies within the state, such as anti-discrimination, economic impact, driver permitting, local government impact and workers’ compensation.

"The ride-hailing plan makes sure that passengers will be protected, drivers will be held to strict, safe standards and New Yorkers with disabilities will be treated equally and fairly,” Assemblywoman Jenne said.