As ride-sharing service UberX continues to battle the Philadelphia Parking Authority over whether it's legal to pick up passengers in Philadelphia, the service's drivers may face a new problem: arrest.
The state-controlled parking authority or PPA, which oversees taxi and limousine service in the city, has impounded and fined 14 drivers for operating over the past two weeks. The agency contends it has not approved UberX to run and that drivers don't meet the same safety standards as taxi drivers.
Now, the parking authority is warning drivers they face arrest and additional legal fines.
"Someone is going to get hurt or someone is going to get killed," said Vince Fenerty of the PPA. "They're not licensed. They're not inspected. We don't know what type of insurance they have. Its a hack cab service. They're trying to bully their way in."
A parking authority spokesman tells NBC10 that the head of the Fraternal Order of Police has warned that his members are bound to uphold the law and arrest anyone illegally running a taxi service.
John McNesby, president of the FOP Lodge 5, sits on the authority's taxi and limo advisory committee.
Unlike its traditional black car service which is licensed to operate, UberX pairs passengers up with drivers who are using their personal car. They connect through a smartphone app and Uber handles all of the payment arrangements electronically.
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According to state law, those running an illegal, also called a "hack," taxi face up to a $500 fine and 90 days in jail for a first offense. Subsequent offenses are third-degree misdemeanors that carry up to a $2,500 fine and a year in prison if found guilty.
UberX has said it is not breaking the law since it received approval from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to operate. The company has been paying for driver's fines and impound fees.
The PPA told NBC10 while they're considering arresting drivers, they'd much rather go after the higher-ups at Uber.
"It would be more appropriate to charge, if possible, the executives at Uber with aiding and abetting an illegal cab service to get, as you would say in the criminal industry, the kingpins," Fenerty said.
In a statement Sunday, UberX spokesman Taylor Bennett said the company has been trying to work with the PPA, but that the agency has not been accommodating to new services.
"The PPA's actions are intentionally harmful and transparently anti-competitive," Bennett wrote. "We have tried to work with the PPA to craft sensible ride-sharing rules, but their response to carve out Philadelphia from any transportation network company regulations is illogical, self-serving and does nothing to benefit consumers."
Asked whether the company has advised drivers what to do should they be arrested, Bennett said UberX would "fully stand behind our partners and will cover all costs associated."
