Recently, across the country as well
as in New York City, the peer-to-peer economy, also known as the sharing
economy, has flourished. New start-ups have been created in which New Yorkers
can rent out their homes to visitors, give rides to people with their own cars,
and even host dinners for travelers looking to experience something new-all for
a fee, of course. Peer-to-peer startups are bringing in a significant amount of
revenue to the city’s economy; and yet the city continue to serve as hindrances
with its outdated regulations .
These industries “…combine
smartphone applications and cloud-computing services with the belief that
sharing conserves resources, builds community and promotes economic
development.” Sidecar and Relay Rides are companies
that function as personalized versions of taxi-service, have recently had their
service halted due to regulations by the Taxi and Limousine Commission. The
Commission assures that it doesn’t have a problem with neighborly car-pooling,
but that these companies are operating as unregistered taxi services, which is
illegal. Similarly, the Department of Health has notified EatWith, a company
which lists various home dinners tourists can attend in over twenty countries,
because “anyone serving meals for money is required to have a permit.”
It is obvious that the city is not
interested in working with these Peer to Peer companies; which is unfortunate
because the demand of these peer-to-peer industries is increasing. The city
should be spending less time impeding the development of these innovative
industries, and should spend more time fostering their growth.
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/
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