Audit Finds Lapses in Department of Public Utilities' Oversight of Transportation Network Companies

DPU failed to verify national background checks of all rideshare drivers and investigate consumer complaints against rideshare drivers and riders

BOSTON (November 23, 2021) - An audit released today by the Office of State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump (OSA) found that the Transportation Network Company Division of the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) did not follow its own regulations in its oversight of transportation network companies (TNCs) in Massachusetts during the audit period. Specifically, the Division did not ensure that TNCs were ensuring the safety of their riders by conducting background checks, imposing sanctions against drivers with suspended or revoked permissions, and investigating and resolving complaints.

Section 274 of Title 220 of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations provides formal regulations for the TNC division, including oversight requirements and obligations. These regulations, which became effective on September 22, 2017, govern the audit period, October 1, 2017 through August 31, 2019.

"The division was created by the Legislature to regulate this emerging industry and was directed to create regulations and to hold the TNC's accountable for the safety of the public. Instead, even after it adopted its regulations, the division allowed the TNC's to operate under much looser standards for a significant period of time and failed to conduct proper oversight," said Bump. "Additionally, while the division is now acting in accordance with its regulations, the audit points out several areas of deficiency."

According to the Transportation Network Division's website, there were approximately 64.8 million rideshare trips that went through TNCs' digital networks in Massachusetts during calendar year 2017 and approximately 81.3 million rideshare trips during calendar year 2018. The two largest TNCs, which accounted for more than 99% of rideshare services in Massachusetts during the audit period were Uber and Lyft.

The audit released today found the Division only performed one of the seven quarterly audits of the national background record check information maintained by Uber and Lyft that it should have conducted during the audit period. As a result, the Division cannot be certain that all the TNCs' rideshare drivers were qualified to work for them during this period. The audit notes these quarterly audits should be completed in a timely matter to ensure that TNCs' drivers have passed the required national background checks and that revoked or suspended drivers can no longer pick up riders.

The audit also found that rideshare applicants did not always pass national background record checks. Of the 53 drivers sampled during the audit, two rideshare driver applications contained incidents that should have precluded the applicants from passing a national background record check. Additionally, of 58 rideshare drivers reviewed, there was inadequate documentation for 20 drivers to determine if the TNC had conducted a national background check as required to be performed every six months.

During the audit, the OSA learned that the TNC Division did not maintain documentation on whether rideshare drivers who had their permissions revoked or suspended were denied access to the TNC platforms to prevent them from picking up riders, and also did not routinely request this information from TNCs. This scope limitation led the audit to recommend that the Division establish written policies and procedures for auditing TNCs and establish a monitoring process to ensure that TNCs take appropriate actions against rideshare drivers whose permissions have been suspended or revoked.

During the audit period, the division only received 13 of the 46 required monthly complaint reports from the TNCs which are intended to allow the Division to monitor TNCs' resolution of driver and rider complaints. Without ensuring that TNCs provide all the required monthly complaint reports and information, the audit notes that the Division cannot ensure that TNCs take the necessary actions to address complaints, creating an elevated safety risk for riders and drivers. The audit recommends the Division establish controls for the administration of complaint reports and a standard report format for TNCs to follow when reporting complaints.

In addition to overseeing investor-owned electric power, natural gas, and water companies in Massachusetts, DPU regulates the safety of bus companies, moving companies, and transportation network companies.

The full audit report is available here.

Nova Arts Schedule of Events for Next Week

Nova Arts is proud to announce a return to in person entertainment at 48 Emerald St in Keene NH, this week with a full and varied schedule.

Wakadoodles kids art sessions continue this week with Priya Allaire, on Mondays and Tuesdays from 4-5pm. Register via our website: novaarts.org/workshops

Monday 11/29, Pauline Michelle will lead another Poetry Workshop, which is underwritten this month by the Monadnock Food Co-op. Bring a poem to work on, start something fresh, or come just to listen. This event will run from 6-8pm, and is by donation, with funds going toward the MCVP Crisis & Prevention Center in Keene.

Tuesday 11/30, Becky Karush's Tuesday Writers will be posted up in the cafe as part of the semi-regular drop in writing salons that have been happening there. It goes from 5-7pm, and a suggested donation of $10 will be gratefully accepted.

Thursday 12/2, our Variety Showcase returns, this month featuring music from Ghippie Music (who you might remember as part of Brown Bones) and Gordon Turrisi, as well as musical comedy from Marisa Iman, and hip hop from Perception. This show is by donation.

Friday 12/3, We're clearing the floor for a jubilant night of dancing courtesy of both Brattleboro's world music explosion The Gaslight Tinkers, and from the other side of the mountain, the Folksoul Band. Both groups excel at getting bodies moving and playing joyfully with a sometimes unusual instrumentation.

On Saturday 12/4, we are continuing the wild instrumentation with Rachel Clemente & Dan Houghton, a harp and bagpipe duo from Vermont, and Aura Shards, which consists of mostly handpan and tabla (there may even be a belly dancer!).

Most Nova events see doors open at 7:45pm, unless otherwise specified. Masks are required when moving about the space.

Nova Arts is supported by and under the fiscal sponsorship of Arts Alive.