Convention Officials Against Ride-Hailing Ban

Boston convention center officials are urging Massachusetts lawmakers to drop a provision from a bill that would regulate ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft, arguing it would hurt the convention business.

The bill, which passed the House last month, includes a five-year ban on the companies picking up fares at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in South Boston.

James Folk, transportation director for the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, says convention-goers by the thousands are accustomed to using Uber and Lyft to get to hotels or restaurants. He says convention business could suffer if ride-hailing companies are barred.

Proponents of the convention center provision say it's needed to protect the taxi industry, which helped finance construction of the facility through the sale of medallions.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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