Indianapolis panel to explore easing regulations on taxis

An Indianapolis City-County Council member has formed a commission to examine easing taxi regulations in light of the popularity of ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft.

Vop Osili said he believes the city's rules governing taxis are outdated and hurt business. The 13-member Taxi Reform Study Commission will meet several times in the weeks ahead and make recommendations to the City-County Council, according to The Indianapolis Star.

The commission will consider lowering the required vehicles per company as well as fees each pays. The group also will mull a more flexible pricing system.

Uber and Lyft came to Indianapolis in 2013, and the San Francisco-based firms, with their fleet of independent contractors, immediately affected the taxi business. Indianapolis last year issued 28 percent fewer taxi licenses than in the year the ride-hailing services arrived.