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

    Amar Singh, Indian-Origin Sikh Appointed Kuala Lumpur Police Chief

    Amar Singh, Indian-Origin Sikh Appointed Kuala Lumpur Police Chief
    The highest police rank previously achieved by a Sikh was senior assistant commissioner-I when Santokh Singh became police chief of Selangor state.

    Amar Singh, Indian-Origin Sikh Appointed Kuala Lumpur Police Chief

    Chilling Video Shows Syrian Father Helps 15-Year-Old Son Blow Himself Up, Videotapes It

    Chilling Video Shows Syrian Father Helps 15-Year-Old Son Blow Himself Up, Videotapes It
    The London-based NGO said the child -- nicknamed Abu Amarah al-Omari -- blew himself up with a car bomb at al-Sakhur area.

    Chilling Video Shows Syrian Father Helps 15-Year-Old Son Blow Himself Up, Videotapes It

    US Accuses Apple of 'Repudiating' Order On Phone access

    US Accuses Apple of 'Repudiating' Order On Phone access
    In a new motion Friday, federal prosecutors say the company has chosen to repudiate a judge's order instead of following it.

    US Accuses Apple of 'Repudiating' Order On Phone access

    Does Sexual Aggression Change Female Brain?

    Does Sexual Aggression Change Female Brain?
    Exposure to sexual violence may alter the female brain and reduce maternal behaviour needed to care for offspring, a new study suggests.

    Does Sexual Aggression Change Female Brain?

    Pakistani Court Issues Arrest Warrant For Musharraf

    Abdul Rashid Ghazi was among 90 students who were killed in a military raid on Islamabad's Red Mosque in 2007. At least 11 security men were also killed in the clashes.

    Pakistani Court Issues Arrest Warrant For Musharraf

    Six Indian-Americans Among Early-career Scientists Honoured By Obama

    Six Indian-Americans Among Early-career Scientists Honoured By Obama
    President Obama has named 106 researchers, including six of Indian origin, as recipients of the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers, the highest US government honour for young independent researchers.

    Six Indian-Americans Among Early-career Scientists Honoured By Obama