Government Technology

Social Media Outpour Hampers D.C.’s Fight Against Uber



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July 12, 2012 By

The advent of the Uber app has presented new problems for Washington, D.C.’s Taxicab Commission.

Uber employs drivers of luxury sedans in large metropolitan areas such as New York, San Francisco, Boston, Toronto and Washington, D.C., and recently announced plans to offer a lower-priced hybrid car service. The company’s app directly connects passengers and drivers.

After an outpour of support for Uber via Twitter and email, the D.C. City Council removed an amendment that would have set the minimum fare for smartphone-dispatched taxi services at $15, reported NationalJournal. Among those showing support was U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz of Utah, who lauded the service on Twitter.

In January, an Uber driver was busted for a licensing infraction, illuminating some of the new problems arising from cutting out the middleman in an established industry like taxi and livery car service.

On Friday, July 13, Uber is branching out to desserts. The company will test on-demand ice cream trucks.


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