O’Dea Appointed to State Transportation Working Group
State Representative Tom O’Dea (R-125) has been appointed to serve on a working group that will focus on transportation network companies (TNC’s) and their future in the State of Connecticut. The working group is being established by the State Department of Transportation and the Office of Policy and Management (OPM).
O’Dea, who serves as the Ranking Member of the legislature’s Transportation Committee, was appointed by House Republican Leader Themis Klarides (R-114) to represent the Republican caucus on the panel at the invitation of OPM.
“There is no question that the advent of transportation network companies has been a game changer for taxi and livery services,” said Rep. O’Dea. “A number of bills concerning the regulation and management of these TNCs surfaced during the past legislative session, and it is my hope that this working group can explore many of the surrounding issues so we can arrive at some informed and sensible policy decisions concerning them.”
The working group is aimed at assembling industry stakeholders and policy-makers to explore issues surrounding TNC companies and taxi-related issues.
Transportation network companies, such as Uber and Lyft, connect paying passengers with drivers that use their own non-commercial vehicles to provide transportation services. These services connect providers and patrons via websites and mobile apps.
O’Dea supported legislation during the 2016 regular session of the Connecticut General Assembly that required proper insurance and vehicle inspections as part of the operation of TNCs in the state.
“It is important that these companies operating with this 21st century business model are still accountable when it comes to ensuring public safety,” said O’Dea. “But this is a business that we want to encourage. Uber employs roughly 6,000 people in the state of Connecticut who make money and pay taxes. We need to make sure we develop smart policies that don’t impede this job growth.”