Battle Between Taxi Drivers And Ride-Hailing Services Heads To State House

The cabbies vs. Uber battle is heading to the State House.

The Financial Services Committee is holding a public hearing Tuesday at 11 a.m. on bills aimed at ride hailing services like Uber and Lyft, including a bill filed by Gov. Charlie Baker.

There have been increasing tensions between the taxi industry, which is heavily regulated, and the upstart ride hailing services, which are largely unregulated.

Cabbies say the ride-hailing services — which let people use smartphone apps to book and pay for a private car service — have dramatically cut into their ability to earn a living.

Baker's bill would require drivers for ride hailing services to undergo state criminal background checks and the companies would be required to carry at least $1 million in liability insurance for each ride.