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 The bill approved by District of Columbia lawmakers would allow
passengers to summon rides using apps on their smartphones.
Ridesharing companies such as Uber, Lyft and Sidecar have gained in
popularity in dozens of U.S. cities in recent years.
The Washington bill requires background checks on drivers, yearly
safety inspections, a ban on street hails and $1 million in
liability insurance when a driver is en route to a rider and when
the rider is being carried.
In an emailed statement, San Francisco-based Lyft welcomed the
council's vote. "We're excited to see the local Lyft community grow
and thrive for years to come," it said.
 Ride sharing has faced strong opposition from Washington's taxi
drivers, as has occurred in other cities where the service is
offered. Cabbies argued that the app-based services had an unfair
advantage because they did not have to follow the same rules as
cabs.
Uber has typically been the focus of criticism because of its size
and reach. Its services are available in more than 40 countries and
the company has been valued at around $18 billion.
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New Orleans cleared online car services last month, and Virginia
came up with a temporary arrangement for them in August.
(Reporting by Ian Simpson; Editing by Mohammad Zargham)
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