Judge orders UberX and Lyft to stop operating in Philly, but the businesses aren't saying they'll co
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer
Judge orders UberX and Lyft to stop operating in Philly, but the businesses aren't saying they'll comply
Updated: OCTOBER 6, 2016 7:10 PM EDT
by Jason Laughlin, Staff Writer
A Common Pleas Court judge ordered UberX and Lyft to cease operating in Philadelphia on Thursday, but both companies were noncommittal about abiding by the decision.
"We are reviewing the judges order," Craig Ewer, an Uber spokesman, said in a statement. "This order makes it even more clear that the clock has run out for Harrisburg to pass a comprehensive ride-sharing bill."
Judge Linda Carpenter's injunction is the latest move in an ongoing tug-of-war over the legality of ride-hailing apps in Philadelphia. The injunction was issued before noon Thursday and went into effect immediately.
~ snip ~
Lyft and Uber can pursue legal opposition to the injunction in Commonwealth Court, lawyers said, but the companies said they had taken no action Thursday night. Carpenter's order stated the companies could be found to be in contempt of court if they continue their peer-to-peer services in Philadelphia. Evidence the companies had defied the order would need to be presented to Carpenter to obtain a contempt-of-court finding. Both companies were still operating Thursday night.
~ snip ~
Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/business/Judge-orders-UberX-and-Lyft-to-stop-operating-in-Philadelphia.html
I am not a fan of Uber's treatment of its drivers, but then again, the taxi industry stinks like week old halibut.
People have went and bought or leased cars to drive Uber. If they crack down in Philadelphia, a lot of people just trying to scrape enough money together for the car payment will be hurt. Travis Kalanick and all the other rich investors in Uber will be fine, but it is the poor soul with a late house payment who will be the one dealing with getting reimbursed for the ticket and towing. And now, with contempt charges hanging over their head, they could REALLY get screwed over.
BumRushDaShow
(127,281 posts)When the DNC was here in Philly over the summer with the convention, the state allowed Uber & Lyft to operate on a temporary basis to supplement the cabs and public transit, etc. But they did so with the assumption that the permits would expire after a certain time.
There have always been the underground "gypsy cabs" here but I really don't know how this whole thing is going to play out given the cab regulation and medallions, etc.
mrmpa
(4,033 posts)they cut rates so badly, what I used to earn in a 35 hour week would now take me 70 to make that amount, maybe........because they keep hiring drivers.
In Detroit Uber's rates are 30 cents a mile, how the fuck can you make a living on that? There was an attorney who went to court in California arguing that drivers were employees. She settled with Uber for 10 million dollars, drivers got crap. What should have been argued was that drivers should have at least been able to contribute to a 401K, because drivers are what enables these companies to grow. This would give drivers a nice perk when there is an IPO.
FrodosPet
(5,169 posts)But yes, good drivers are still being screwed by rates that only work for a few lucky drivers in a few hot markets.
onehandle
(51,122 posts)The vast majority of them have New Jersey plates.
An instant industry has instant risks.
metroins
(2,550 posts)Austin wanted some useless regulation to protect the taxi industry. Uber and Lyft left. Now we still don't have a good fix and we're resorting to a Facebook group to find rides.
Prior to them leaving, if we were going to dinner for drinks, we'd Uber. Now we either don't go or need to plan our drinks. It may seem insignificant, but I bet there's others that drive because an Uber isn't easy. Not to mention flights, instead of an Uber, I need to wake my wife up early to drive me or she has to miss work to pick me up.
I've seen people who were making money working for Uber, now they can't make their bills because there is no alternative. I can afford a nice vehicle and other stuff, but I won't lie that I've thought of Uber/Lyft driving when I have nothing better to do.
The taxi industry is awful, I'm not using a taxi. I don't even know why taxis exist outside of major inner cities where you can hail one down off the street. The regulation on them is insane and there's no remedy for a bad experience. Useless.
FrodosPet
(5,169 posts)And gained business as our old school competitors went out of business.
Smart taxi companies will adapt. Old school nasty ex-cop car companies will surrender. From the beginning, we were about technology and quality customer service. Our company's owner never really wanted the drunks and the grocery store rides, which Uber can do better than us at. So now, more than ever, our focus is on hospitals, medical groups, corporate accounts, and hotels. They prefer licensed, commercially insured, well marked cars and the ability to (usually) reach a manager in real time over the telephone.
Less drama, less down time for vomit.
christx30
(6,241 posts)with both Uber and Lyft. Waited 3 hours for a cab one time. Finally ended up walking 9 miles home after my cell died. Anger doesn't begin to describe my feelings. And when I contacted the company the next day, I got the email equivalent of a shoulder shrug. So, yeah, we don't need laws to protect the cab companies. We need accountability for them, or we need competition.
Jake Stern
(3,145 posts)Or riding in a cab that smells like it hasn't been cleaned in a month.
Or having a driver loudly bitch non-stop about being out of his area.
But those evil Uber bastards! How could they live with themselves getting a clean car with a friendly driver to me in minutes?!
Eeeeeeeeeeevil!
FrodosPet
(5,169 posts)You will probably end up realizing that Uber is devolving into another cab company with a cool app.
https://www.facebook.com/uber/posts_to_page/
http://uberpeople.net/
And, if you want to believe Uber drivers are happy and motivated and on your side, do NOT watch these videos.
uwep
(108 posts)and I love the job. You know what you are getting in to when you sign up. I have had over 3k passengers and almost everyone loved Uber. I cannot tell you all the complements that passengers have given. Passengers think that taxis should rethink their model. I have enjoyed Uber and I do not view it as work but as a privilege. I get to give rides to people that are very interesting and every day is a learning experience. I know not everyone enjoys driving as much as I do and I can understand those that have to do it to make a living. I have been in corporate jobs for most of my life but I have never experience the freedom I have now. Yes, there are the down sides, responsibility for maintenance and upkeep of your car, but since it is your car, you should keep it up, and if you have an accident you need to know your options, because you do not want to be without a vehicle for long. Uber, where I drive, does provide commercial insurance.
FrodosPet
(5,169 posts)Stay safe. Be picky about your pickups. If your "spidey senses" tingle, cancel the run and get out of there ASAP.
BTW: Do you have a dash cam? If things do go south, it can help keep you from being deactivated or falsely accused.