Anchorage trying to put the brakes on Uber ride-sharing service
By Sean Doogan, Alaska Dispatch News, Anchorage | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
So far, one Uber driver has been issued a fine, a citation for which Uber said it would shoulder the bill. This comes as
The company's
"It seems to be sort of their standard operating procedure to go into jurisdictions, operate without compliance of local code and not necessarily following cease-and-desist letters," Wheeler said. "From my perspective it's not a good way to start a relationship."
Transportation-for-hire is extremely regulated in
But the company is not currently playing by the same rules as other
Wheeler confirmed that one
"We fully stand by our driver partners and will cover the cost of any unjust citation,"
"This action is simply an attempt to protect special interests and does nothing but restrict consumer choice and limit economic opportunity for the people of
Wheeler said that, to his knowledge, Uber has not responded to either of the cease-and-desist letters sent to the company last week. But Uber has reached out to Anchorage Assemblyman
Customers download Uber's smartphone app and use it to request a ride. Drivers own and operate their own cars and are paid through the Uber app. Uber then keeps 20 percent of all fares as a "technology fee."
Traini said he has met with Uber officials to see what their service offers, and he believes the company should be allowed to operate in
Claiming municipal officials have been unwilling to work with the company, Traini said he has proposed a new ordinance, AO 2014-127, that would allow Uber and other ride-sharing services to operate in
"This is the only way I can see that this will work, because this administration will not work with Uber," Traini said.
Traini's ordinance will be heard and made available for public comment at the
Meanwhile, the municipality is considering whether to go to court to stop Uber. Transportation inspectors say they will continue to issue tickets to anyone caught driving for the company. And while Uber has said it will pay any of its drivers' citations, that policy could get expensive.
"The first citation is
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