Uber tours New Jersey to oppose legislation that would limit it

Electronic ride sharing company, Uber, has kicked off a tour to garner support of its opposition to legislation currently making its way through the Assembly that would regulate the service.

The company started in Secaucus and will continue making stops across New Jersey.

"The bill is designed to drive us out of the state," said Josh Mohrer, general manager of Uber New Jersey. "This isn't about changing how we do business. This is about getting a competitive force to the taxi industry out of the state and that's exactly what it will do if this measure is successful."

Thousands of people across the Garden State use the service. Users can download the Uber app to a smartphone and, at the click of a button, find a ride. There are more than 5,000 drivers in New Jersey and Mohrer expects that number to double by the end of the year.

The Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee approved the legislation in March, but it has yet to be voted on in the full Assembly and has not begun advancing in the Senate. Proponents, including the state's taxi industry, argue that Uber needs to be regulated.

"Uber is already very safe. Every ride is already covered by a $1.5 million dollar insurance policy. That's roughly 50 times what a cab is covered. Background checking is hugely important. Every potential driver partner goes through a rigorous background check at the local, state and federal levels," Mohrer said. "Safety is a primary concern. We are all for regulation, but we want it to be fair. If the legislation goes through, Uber will be forced to leave the state and that would hurt the more than 5,000 drivers and the thousands who use the service."

Under the proposed regulations, additional layers of insurance would be required and drivers would have to be registered with the State Motor Vehicle Commission. Lawmakers have said they do not believe Uber will leave the state because the company makes money now and would continue to do so if the legislation goes through.