Orlando leaders pass ordinance forcing ride-sharing companies to charge more than taxis

Orlando city leaders voted to pass a controversial ordinance that will regulate ride-sharing companies like Uber Monday evening.

Uber has threatening to stop offering service in Orlando if the ordinance passes. The proposal would make Uber passengers pay more than traditional taxi cabs.

The company has revolutionized how people get around using a smart phone application and it's going up against Mears taxi service in Orlando.

"We don't own vehicles we don't hire drivers. The model is new," said Taylor Bennett, Uber spokesperson.

As a traditional taxi service, Mears pays a lot in fees and taxes to operate in Orlando, but Uber claims because it's not a taxi service so it shouldn't have to pay those fees.

The ordinance would mean Uber must charge passengers 25 percent more than the minimum taxi cab fare.

"It artificially inflates prices when consumers should have a low cost option," said Bennett.

Mears said it was working to embrace technology and is launching an app of its own. News 96.5 did a comparison and it took 12 minutes for a Mears cab to arrive, while an Uber driver showed up in about three minutes.

"I have time for my kids, my wife. If you're working for Mears you don't have time for your kids, your wife," said an Uber driver who used to work for Mears.

The City Council meeting continued until early Monday evening after dozens of people spoke out against the ordinance.