Uber won a small victory in London on Thursday after a regulator ruled that they could legally drive passengers around the city. The ride-sharing service, which lets users summon cars with a smartphone app, was the subject of protests by the city's taxicab drivers, who complained that Uber drivers avoided many of the fees and regulations that they have to deal with. The matter is not settled yet; while Transport for London ruled in Uber's favor, the case still has to go to another British court for a final ruling. It was not all good news for the San Francisco-based company. In Pittsburgh, judges hit Uber (along with competitor Lyft) with a cease-and-desist order, stopping them from operating until they get the proper authority from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
IN-DEPTH
- Does Uber Stand a Chance in a Global Market?
- San Francisco Start-Ups Cause Headaches for Lawmakers
- Uber's London trouble is just the latest squabble over the sharing economy (The Guardian)
SOCIAL
--- Keith Wagstaff