Transportation authority discusses app to hail limos

The Nevada Transportation Authority later this month will consider a smartphone transportation hailing system from a local company similar to technology used by ride-share companies such as Uber.

Transportation Authority Commissioner Keith Sakelhide conducted a two-hour investigative hearing Tuesday on Integrity Vehicle Solutions’ Ride Genie app. The three-member board will consider adopting tariff rates and fees for charter limousine services at its July 18 meeting.

If approved by the board, company officials say they would start offering the service immediately.

Two other commissioners asked questions and made comments during the hearing. There appear to be no roadblocks to approval.

Here’s how the system works: Customers download the free app from Apple and Android stores and register a credit card for ride payments. Meanwhile, limousine companies that contract with Integrity Vehicle Solutions would be tied into the system.

When a ride is requested, the driver closest to the pickup point is dispatched. The customer can view the driver’s progress on a map. When the ride is completed, payment is made through an on-file credit card, with a receipt emailed to the customer.

Representatives of the companies that have tested the system say Ride Genie vehicles would be black sedans and sport utility vehicles, not the stretch limousines in their fleets.

The system is similar to ride-sharing apps offered by Uber and Lyft, companies that are trying to establish a foothold in the Southern Nevada market.

Taxi companies have tried to block ride-share companies, which consider themselves to be technology companies and not transportation providers. Transportation Authority and the Nevada Taxicab Authority regulators say it’s transportation because that is the result of the communication.

Local transportation companies say Uber and Lyft are uninsured or underinsured, which Uber officials deny. Local companies also say their vehicles are safer because they receive regular inspections by regulators.

Two limousine companies, Bell Transportation and Presidential Limousine, have agreed to use Ride Genie as soon as it is approved by regulators. Two other companies, Las Vegas Limousine and On Demand Sedan, also are expected to sign on.

Once the hailing system application is in place, the individual companies would be required to file for tariffs with the Transportation Authority to outline consumer costs.

Neal Tomlinson, an attorney representing Integrity Vehicle Solutions, said the company views Ride Genie users as new customers who don’t traditionally use limousine services.

Most of the questions Tuesday involved how the system works and various “what-if” scenarios.

Commission staff asked what would happen if the closest driver to the pickup point didn’t immediately respond. Company officials said the system would automatically hail the next closest driver after 30 seconds.

Meeting participants also asked about tips. The app has a default setting paying the driver a 20 percent tip unless the customer overrides it before final payment is made.

Contact reporter Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893. Follow him on Twitter @RickVelotta.