Key West Taxi Drivers Succesfully Fighting Uber

Ride-Sharing Services Illegal In The Conch Republic

City hall was packed and as heated as a July afternoon on Duval Street.

And for now, the taxi drivers have won the battle against Uber in Key West.

The Key West City Commission held a meeting in mid June on the subject and with some 200 cabbies, residents and business owners packed into the building, changed nothing. The two million tourists who visit Key West each year must do without Uber, tho the need here is hardly as great as in other vacation destinations.

Uber and ride-sharing services have been illegal since last summer but there’s still some Uber drivers floating around the Conch Republic (the police busted a driver who picked up undercover agents from the airport).

Key West is not looking to change its policy anytime soon, tho it would welcome a push or even some advice from the Florida Legislature. City Commissioner Sam Kaufman said the people – tho certainly not the cabbies – want it.

“I’m one of them,” Kaufman said. “Whether we like it or not, the Legislature may make this a moot point for us. They may say the city may not prohibit Uber-type services.”

As in many places, Uber is a hot topic in Key West, a place long known for its individual spirits. And frankly, outside of going to and from the small airport, there’s little need for cab or Uber rides around Key West.

Stay around the 800 block of Duval Street down to Mallory Square and you can walk (or, more accurately, stumble) pretty much anywhere you want to go, including to and from the Key West sunsets and the famous bars.

Heck, even if you want to go out to the Southernmost Point in the USA and combine that with a hangover breakfast/lunch at Louie’s Backyard, you can take the Conch Train and get a tour as a bonus ($30.45 for all day).

There are three taxis services in Key West and 56 cabs. And plenty of Conch Trains.