Are rideshare companies overcharging New Mexico customers?
Nov 03, 2024
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – After complaints over rideshare costs two agencies raised the question, are rideshare companies overcharging customers? Results from a recent operation highlight what could be a statewide problem.
The Santa Fe Police Department and the New Mexico Department of Transportation's (NMDOT) Regulation Bureau teamed up to address complaints that rideshares are charging too much and said a recent operation shows multiple concerns.
"We want individuals who are utilizing rideshare services to know that they have been vetted. They have been certified. They are in compliance,” said Kristine Bustos-Mihelcic, NMDOT.
The agencies said one customer reported being charged over $100 for a ride from the Santa Fe Regional Airport to Downtown, a 14-mile drive that takes roughly 20 minutes.
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On Tuesday, investigators monitored the airport for violations of the Motor Carrier Act, where they handed out 10 citations.
“So, the Motor Carrier Act is really, basically, the rules that every motor carrier providing transportation service in New Mexico needs to meet and comply with,” said Bustos-Mihelcic.
Some of those citations were for not having an NMDOT certification displayed on the vehicle as well as missing decals on taxis.
NMDOT said passengers must also be able to see what the ride will cost and proper certification numbers need to be permanently attached to the cars.
"This really helps ensure that, again, carriers are operating lawfully,” said Bustos-Mihelcic.
Although the act applies to all rideshares, the operation focused on a specific group of providers.
"In some cases, like with Lyft or with Uber, a lot of people are utilizing an app, so the app has information: what kind of vehicle is arriving, what your driver looks like, how much your ride is going to be. You can see all of that in your app, and so, what we're also looking at is taxi service or transportation services that are not utilizing apps," said Bustos-Mihelcic.
NMDOT said other complaints lead them to believe this could be a statewide issue and are looking to partner with other agencies in the future.
To make a complaint about a violation of the Motor Carrier Act, please contact the NMDOT Transportation Regulation Bureau, Compliance Unit, at 505-827-4519 or visit the Transportation Regulation Bureau's website to file a complaint online.