Orlando Cracks Down on Uber Car Service
Thursday, June 26, 2014
By: Carmel Delshad

June 26, 2014 | WMFE, Orlando - Ride-sharing company Uber launched in Orlando earlier this month.

Uber bills itself as a ride sharing app that connects passengers to drivers in the area willing to give them a ride for a fee.

But the City of Orlando says they're operating like a cab service, and Uber drivers don't have the proper permits to do so. The City also says the company is in violation of Orlando’s vehicle for hire ordinance

This week, a handful of Uber drivers were issued citations just before Uber representatives met with city officials.

Uber Orlando General Manager Billy Guernier says the city's reaction was similar to other cities nationwide. 

“This is really a new paradigm," says Guernier. "In every city we go there’s a learning curve, where we need to go in and explain what our product is, how we ensure safety, how we ensure liability and why consumers and drivers alike like Uber so much, and that’s exactly what we’re doing right now in Orlando.”

Guernier says he expects the two parties to reach a compromise soon:

“We’re confident that the City of Orlando, as an emerging tech hub, as an innovative city, as a developing city, is really going to be able to get to a place where a similar set of rules are put in place that champion innovation while making sure that riders and drivers are protected.”

A spokesperson for the City says that they will continue handing out citations, but they'll have ongoing discussions with Uber reps to figure out the next steps.