6 Cities Where Uber Is Banned
Uber is everywhere. Well, almost everywhere. Here are 6 cities where it is banned.
In Vegas, you can pick up an escort, unless she's looking for a ride.
Late last year, a court ruling banned Uber from the state. On April 15, 2015, the state legislature voted against a bill that would have established regulations for transportation network companies. Trying a different approach, Uber has been teaming with local business organizations to put pressure on state legislators.
Portland is the largest city on the West Coast without Uber or similar ride-sharing services such as Lyft. Of course, that doesn't mean residents don't know what they're missing. Uber is allowed in surrounding neighborhoods, and many rides that begin outside Portland still terminate there.
This may all change in a matter of hours. On April 21, 2015, it's expected that new rules will be put in place. Reports the Oregonian: "Uber and Lyft would be required to provide service to people with disabilities, have vehicles on the streets around the clock and certify drivers using their private vehicles as de facto taxis have passed city-approved background checks—just like traditional cab companies. [OR]
We admit it. The only reason Portland, Maine, is on this list is because we spent 30 minutes researching it before realizing we were reading about the wrong Portland. Why let that time go to waste?
As luck would have it, Uber is banned in Portland, Maine, as well. It has been operating illegally since October, but now the city council has agreed to negotiate a temporary agreement on how to regulate the company’s activity. But until that agreement is in place, it can stay on this list.
Uber has exited San Antonio, and both sides are blaming each other. Last year, the city council passed some of the strictest ride-sharing laws in the country. Then, the two sides came together to negotiate. The city council thought they had an agreement on new regulations, but Uber backed out anyway. Points of contention include extensive fingerprinting for drivers and insurance.
Uber has operated in Toronto since 2012, but the City of Toronto has asked a court to ban the service, saying it jeopardizes public safety, including that of its drivers. That said, Mayor John Tory has sided with Uber.
The hearing to ban it is scheduled for May, but in the meantime, undercover police officers have been stopping drivers and issuing fines for being in violation of the Highway Traffic Act. (Records reveal only one cop has issued all the tickets.)
For six months in 2012, Vancouver had a taste of Uber. But it was forced to pull out when the city imposed a $75 minimum fare. While Uber has said it would like to return, it hasn't had much of a chance. It looks like a six-month moratorium is about to be extended until October 2015.
