The Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) said it...
The Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) said it ruled car service Uber is a “common carrier and a public service company over whom the Commission has jurisdiction.” The PSC rejected Uber’s claim that it’s exempt from PSC oversight because its…
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technology is covered by the Communications Act, noting that while Uber uses telecom technology, that technology is also used to contract with transportation services and to set rates (http://bit.ly/1vbOCTO). The ruling doesn’t affect UberX or Lyft services, the PSC said Wednesday. The PSC’s decision affirms an April ruling by the PSC’s public utility law judge that the PSC can regulate Uber as “non-taxicab, passenger-for-hire service.” The order requires Uber to apply for a motor carrier permit for its UberBlack and UberSUV services within 60 days and directs the PSC to draft new regulations within 90 days that “reflect the evolving nature of transportation services like Uber.” The rules PSC staff must now create to handle Uber-like services must address “new technologies” for dispatching transportation-for-hire services, methods of providing notice of transportation rates, along with insurance, driver qualifications and vehicle safety, the PSC said (http://bit.ly/1AVlf8L). Uber believes the Maryland PSC “is stuck in the days of the horse and buggy,” a spokesman said. “The PSC’s attempt to take choice and competition away from Maryland residents will not stand."