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Thursday, August 07, 2014

State To Regulate Popular Uber Service

WBAL's Derek Williams speaks with Uber spokesman Taylor Bennett.

The state body that oversees utilities and transportation in Maryland ruled Wednesday that a popular Web-based ride-sharing service is subject to state regulation.

The Public Service Commission ruled that Uber Technologies Inc. is a common carrier - a company that moves people or goods for hire - and as a result, is subject to the same regulations as all other passenger-for-hire services.

Uber is a ride-sharing company that connects drivers with passengers using a smartphone application.

The ruling is in response to an appeal Uber filed with the Public Service Commission after Chief Public Utility Law Judge Terry Romaine ordered the company to apply for a motor carrier permit. Uber, which has been operating in Maryland since January 2013, appealed Romaine's order, arguing that it should not be subject to regulation under the PSC because of its status as a technology company, and because it simply arranges rides between freelance drivers and passengers and does not directly operate a fleet of cars.

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