Uber, Lyft lobby to ban private-owned autonomous cars in cities

The ride-hailing companies have teamed with cycling lobby to promote \"fair user fees\" across all modes of transportation, taking into account \"social costs.\"

Uber and Lyft have joined a lobbying group that aims to ban privately-owned autonomous cars from cities.

Founded by former Zipcar CEO Robin Chase, the "Shared Mobility Principles for Livable Cities" organization aims to guide city planners to "discourage the use of cars, single-passenger taxis, and other oversized vehicles transporting one person."

To achieve its goals, the group says it is 'critical' that autonomous vehicles in dense urban areas "should be operated only in shared fleets" and cities should begin removing parking spaces for private vehicles. Such regulations would essentially force urban dwellers to choose between public transportation, bicycling or a corporate-owned car fleet.

The group also hints at subsidization of "shared transportation services" to ensure they can be used by people of all incomes, while traditional privately-owned cars appear to fall under a separate principle that calls for penalty fees based on a vehicle's "social costs," "use of curb space" and pollution.

"Shared fleets can provide more affordable access to all, maximize public safety and emissions benefits, ensure that maintenance and software upgrades are managed by professionals, and actualize the promise of reductions in vehicles, parking, and congestion, in line with broader policy trends to reduce the use of personal cars in dense urban areas," the organization says.

The list of signatories includes a handful of NGOs and more than dozen private companies from across the globe.