Measure D is about traffic.
It would create the city’s first ever tax on trips provided by ride-share companies, like Uber and Lyft.
Right now, those companies are not taxed on any rides that begin in the city.
Measure D would create a 3.25 percent tax on all private rides. The tax, however, would be slightly lowered for rides in zero-emission vehicles, and shared rides, such as Uber pool or a Lyft line. Measure D would not apply to rides on taxis and buses.
The City’s Controller says the new tax would generate about 32 million dollars annually.
What happens to that money?
Half would go to the Municipal Transportation Agency to improve bus and train services. The other half would go to the city’s Transportation Authority, which would use it to improve bike and pedestrian safety.
Proponents of the measure include Mayor London Breed and all the San Francisco supervisors. Also, the labor council, the chamber of commerce, the bike coalition, and Walk SF. They say Measure D would result in more MUNI drivers, less traffic congestion, and easier transit for people with disabilities and the elderly.
You might expect ride-share companies to oppose any measure that would cost them money. But, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, both Lyft and Uber agreed not tooppose this tax. That’s after negotiations with Supervisor Aaron Peskin, who proposed the measure.
But there are opponents. Namely, the San Francisco Republican Party. They argue there’s no evidence that the measure would improve traffic in the city. And, they worry half of the money generated would be spent administering the new tax.
So, if you favor taxing ride-share companies that operate in the city vote YES on measure D. If you believe rides should continue to be untaxed then vote NO.