Close X
Saturday, November 30, 2024
ADVT 
International

Pennsylvania Fines Uber $11Million For Operating Without Approval

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 21 Apr, 2016 11:44 AM
    HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania regulators fined Uber $11.4 million on Thursday — a record for the utility commission — for operating for six months in 2014 without the required approval. The company said it would appeal.
     
    The Public Utility Commission, which also regulates buses and taxis, voted 3-2 for a penalty that was considerably lower than the $50 million fine recommended by a pair of administrative law judges in November.
     
    Commissioners who voted for it justified the lower amount because they said the ride-hailing company has modified its practices to comply with state rules and has not generated many consumer complaints while operating under emergency and experimental authority.
     
    San Francisco-based Uber Technologies, Inc. drew criticism from the judges last year for continuing to operate a month after being issued a cease-and-desist order and for what were described as obstructive actions during the investigation. Commissioners John Coleman and Gladys Brown said the company's actions warranted punishment.
     
    "It must be recognized that Uber has deliberately engaged in the most unprecedented series of wilful violations of commission orders and regulations in the history of this agency," they said in proposing the smaller fine. "A record number of proven violations should be expected to result in a record setting fine."
     
     
    The two commissioners who voted no said the fine was excessive compared to the commission's past actions. Its previous record fine was $1.8 million over an electric generation supplier's handling of a guaranteed savings plan for customers.
     
    Uber spokesman Jason Post said the company was "shocked" by the fine amount, adding Uber's actions did not harm anyone and the commission "subsequently approved the same operations."
     
    Other cases with large fines, said commissioner Pamela Witmer, "involved incidents of serious bodily injury, fatalities, significant property damage and/or patterns of unsafe business practices that jeopardized public safety." She called for "a more measured and reasonable outcome."
     
    Commissioner Robert Powelson, the other no vote, said he would have preferred a $2.5 million fine.
     
    "When Uber launched its operations in Pennsylvania, they were operating in a legally grey area," Powelson said. "The commission should take this into account."
     
    The two judges wrote in November that Uber had argued it was providing needed alternatives, it used a broker license held by a subsidiary and there was no proof that harm occurred.
     
     
    Uber was fined more than $7 million in January for failing to provide sufficient information to California regulators.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Indian-Americans At NYU Protest To Show Support To JNU Students

    Indian-Americans At NYU Protest To Show Support To JNU Students
    Students from two US universities gathered here to express their solidarity with the students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) who were arrested in a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy.

    Indian-Americans At NYU Protest To Show Support To JNU Students

    8 Indian-Americans In Fray For Tuesday's Lexington Elections

    8 Indian-Americans In Fray For Tuesday's Lexington Elections
    Eight Indian-American leaders, who are in the fray for Tuesday's local elections in Lexington city in the US state of Kentucky, have urged the members of the Indian community to vote generously.

    8 Indian-Americans In Fray For Tuesday's Lexington Elections

    Panasonic Recognition Of Same-sex Marriage An Isolated Move

    Panasonic Recognition Of Same-sex Marriage An Isolated Move
    Much of Asia remains far behind the West in such attitudes. Panasonic's move is rare, although bold, and seems unlikely to herald a sea change.

    Panasonic Recognition Of Same-sex Marriage An Isolated Move

    Canadian-Based Researcher To Share Brain Prize, Called 'Nobel Of Neuroscience'

    Canadian-Based Researcher To Share Brain Prize, Called 'Nobel Of Neuroscience'
    A Toronto-based researcher is among three scientists receiving the world's most valuable prize for brain research in recognition of their work on the mechanisms of memory.

    Canadian-Based Researcher To Share Brain Prize, Called 'Nobel Of Neuroscience'

    Terror Groups 'Stealing' Pakistan's Sovereignty: US

    Groups like the Haqqani Network and Lashkar-e-Taiba (that) seek to undermine Pakistan's efforts to foster strong, positive relations with its neighbours

    Terror Groups 'Stealing' Pakistan's Sovereignty: US

    Two Policemen Suspended After Telangana Gangrape Case

    Two Policemen Suspended After Telangana Gangrape Case
    The Telangana government on Tuesday suspended two policemen for dereliction of duty in a case relating to gangrape of a Dalit girl.

    Two Policemen Suspended After Telangana Gangrape Case