Uber Boston's new GM avoids comment on vetting process

BOSTON — Uber Boston's new general manager Tom Maguire avoided answering whether the vetting process for drivers is tough enough.

“Every single driver partner goes through a 3rd party background check before being on the road. And here in Massachusetts, there was a bill recently passed where a driver will also go through a state-run background check,” he said.

Maquire pointed to several regulations now in place, including a law passed by Gov. Charlie Baker last year. The law requires ride-sharing programs to perform state background checks, including sex offender registries and criminal records, on all drivers by April of this year.

In the past year, FOX25 has uncovered holes in the Uber background check system. Ronald Deluca, who was a Level 2 sex offender with an 18-page record, was an Uber driver in Massachusetts. Last summer, FOX25 also reported on several cases where Uber drivers were investigated for sexual misconduct and assault.

>> READ MORE: FOX25 Investigates sex offender driving for Uber in Boston 

When it comes to improving safety, Maguire said feedback plays a large role.

“I think part of it is talking to riders and drivers - what is expected of them,” said Maguire.

He also said he trusts the app and thinks it creates a safe environment.

"I think we have a number of different parts of our platform - community guidelines, we have safety before, during and after a trip," said Maguire.

He also pointed out Uber also tracks every car by GPS and allows riders to share their ETA with friends by phone.

Cox Media Group