Uber launched service in Bloomington-Normal this week. (Photo by Eric Stock/WJBC)

By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – A local cab company owners said he hopes his business can withstand the competition as Uber drivers flood the market with their low-cost service.

The mobile app ride-sharing service has started service this week in Bloomington-Normal.

"They are bullies, they don't care about what the rules are," Checker Cab owner Aaron Halliday said. "They are worth billions of dollars and they've pushed around city governments. They buy their way into city governments."

Halliday said Uber can charge lower fares because it is far less regulated than cab companies, which are basically treated as utilities.

He said he requested a fare increase last summer from Bloomington to offset an increase in the gas tax and didn't get an answer. He said he expects the community might try Uber but should stick with a locally-owned company that keep its money in the community.

"With us being a small guy in the community, I think the community is going to stick with us if they can," Halliday said.

Halliday said his cab company can separate itself by having operators available when you need it while also having mobile capability through the Curb app. He raises suspicions about Uber's privately-handled background checks.

Last summer, then Gov. Pat Quinn vetoed a bill that would implement certain regulations including mandatory commercial insurance and chaffeur's licenses for drivers, leaving much of the regulations to the local level.

Gov. Bruce Rauner announced the launch of Uber in the Twin Cities and several other locations this week. Uber said it already has 20,000 drivers in Illinois.  

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].