ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando City Council has passed new rules aimed at legalizing Lyft and Uber's business practices within the city limits.
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The city council passed the changes to Chapter 55 ordinance with a unanimous vote Monday afternoon/
Under the amendment to the ordinance governing taxis and livery, ride sharing companies would be required to charge the same base fare as taxis.
That was reduced from last week, when council members were considering a measure that would have required them to charge 125-percent of those base fares.
Ride sharing drivers would also have to pay $250 for a permit to operate in the city.
That was also reduced from last week when council members were proposing a $500 permit fee.
The $250 figure will apply to all taxi and limo drivers in the city, and the renewal fee would drop to $200.
The new rules would also require ride sharing drivers undergo a criminal background check.
Uber's current fares are about 30 to 40 percent cheaper than taxis.
The ordinance changes take effect on Feb. 1.