PUC approves two more ride-hailing services
HARRISBURG – Ride-hailing companies Uber, Lyft and the independent Freed Man Autonomous Vehicles of Mechanicsburg, now all have licenses to operate in Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission by votes of 5-0 on Thursday approved applications from Lyft Inc. and Freed Man Autonomous Vehicles LLC to operate as transportation network companies, also know as ride-sharing services.
The Commission on Jan. 26 approved a TNC license application submitted by Rasier-PA, a wholly-owned affiliate of Uber Technologies Inc.
Lyft previously had been issued an experimental two-year authorization from the PUC.
Uber drives Chambersburg streets
Joshua Freedman of Mechanicsburg owns Freed Man. The company provides service to riders via the CabbyGo smartphone app, according to Free Man’s application to the PUC. Riders use the app to request rides. Drivers can notify riders of interest, and riders can choose the drivers or vehicles.
A growing and thriving TNC industry is good for consumers, the transportation industry and Pennsylvania business, PUC Chairwoman Gladys M. Brown and Commissioner Robert F. Powelson said in a joint statement. Competition in the marketplace gives consumers “the power of choice and the ability to shop with their dollar.”
“As evidenced by the number of riders who have flocked to TNC service in Pennsylvania, this is exactly what has happened here,” they said.
The PUC oversees transportation services operating throughout the state – including taxis, limousines and TNCs – with the exception of Philadelphia, where those activities are regulated by the Philadelphia Parking Authority.
In December 2016 the PUC established an application process for new TNC licenses under Act 164 of 2016, which created the regulatory framework for TNCs to operate in Pennsylvania. Prior to Gov. Tom Wolf signing the law in November 2016. TNCs operated in most of Pennsylvania under experimental authority granted by the PUC.
All licensed TNCs approved are required to maintain consumer protections and comply with all driver integrity, vehicle safety and insurance requirements set forth in the Public Utility Code or the Commission’s orders and regulations and other Act 164 requirements. To the extent that any autonomous vehicles or vehicles with advanced driver assistance systems and technologies are used, such vehicles shall be and shall remain in continuous compliance with all current and future vehicle safety rules and regulations issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.