Close X
Tuesday, November 26, 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

    French Prime Minister Favours Muslim Headscarf Ban At Universities

    French Prime Minister Favours Muslim Headscarf Ban At Universities
    PARIS — France's prime minister says he'd favour a ban on Muslim headscarves in universities, prompting criticism from within his own government.

    French Prime Minister Favours Muslim Headscarf Ban At Universities

    UK Government Mulls Co-investing In Tata Steel Plant To Save It

    UK Government Mulls Co-investing In Tata Steel Plant To Save It
    LONDON — The British government says it is willing to put public money into a deal to save steel plants threatened with closure amid a glut of cheap Chinese imports.

    UK Government Mulls Co-investing In Tata Steel Plant To Save It

    Donald Trump Names Kasich, Rubio As Potential Running Mates

    Donald Trump Names Kasich, Rubio As Potential Running Mates
    Republican front-runner Donald Trump has named Ohio Governor John Kasich and Florida Senator Marco Rubio as potential running mates in the race to November's presidential elections.

    Donald Trump Names Kasich, Rubio As Potential Running Mates

    Hillary Clinton Criticised For 'Cringeworthy' Racist Joke At A Charity Event

    Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton and her ally, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, have beeen criticised for a racist joke at a charity event.

    Hillary Clinton Criticised For 'Cringeworthy' Racist Joke At A Charity Event

    Ivanka And Eric Trump Won't Be Voting For Their Father In New York

    Ivanka And Eric Trump Won't Be Voting For Their Father In New York
    New York City voter registration records show that neither Ivanka Trump nor her brother Eric Trump registered with the Republican Party in time to cast their ballots for their father under the state's arcane voting rules.

    Ivanka And Eric Trump Won't Be Voting For Their Father In New York

    Indian Prisoner Kirpal Singh Dies Under Mysterious Circumstances In Pakistan Jail

    Indian Prisoner Kirpal Singh Dies Under Mysterious Circumstances In Pakistan Jail
    An Indian prisoner, Kirpal Singh, has died at the Kot Lakhpat Jail in Pakistan, an official said.

    Indian Prisoner Kirpal Singh Dies Under Mysterious Circumstances In Pakistan Jail