Uber & Lyft Are Hereby Theoretically Banished From Newark Airport

[FrodosPet]

http://gothamist.com/2016/02/24/theories.php

BY EMMA WHITFORD IN NEWS
FEB 24, 2016 10:35 AM

Uber, Lyft and other ride-sharing apps have been banned from Newark Airport, following a decision this week by the city of Newark. The ban has apparently been in the works since early February, and draws on a city ordinance that requires commercial drivers to obtain a license in order to operate at city airports or train stations.

The decision came as a pleasant surprise to New Jersey taxi drivers on Monday, since Newark's public safety director Anthony Ambrose had stated as recently as this past Friday that the proposed ban had been scrapped, and that "we will not single out Uber for violations only." Taxi drivers in New Jersey, like their NYC counterparts, have long argued that Uber is unfairly encroaching on their business.

As of this Tuesday, Uber or Lyft drivers caught at the airport will be subject to towing and ticketing. But while the ban is powerful in its language, there's a chance it might sputter in practice. NJ Advance reports that while Newark police don't patrol the airport, the city does perform license checks on taxis and limos there (300 tickets have been issued to noncompliant vehicles this year to date). However, both the Port Authority and NJ Transit have stated that they will not seek to penalize un-licensed rideshare drivers at either Newark Airport or Newark Penn Station, which is also impacted by the city's ban. According to NJ Transit, "The New Jersey Transit Police Department will not ticket rideshare drivers when picking up customers at NJ Transit hubs, including Newark Penn Station."

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[FrodosPet]

1. UBER: Ticketed by Port Authority Police for Not Having Municipal Permit

Published on Mar 3, 2016

On March 2nd, Weds, at around 6:30pm I was ticketed by the Port Authority Police at Newark Airport in New Jersey while picking up an Uber passenger. I do have NYC TLC plates and FHV Dispatch License. I did pick up right in front of the police multiple times prior to this incident and did not get ticketed in my TLC plated vehicle. TLC stands for Taxi and Limousine Commission in New York City. In fact, the night before I had made 3 pickups from Newark Airport right in front of these same police officers without incident or warning. It was obvious then that I was picking up an Uber passenger. I do have the lighted Uber sign on my front window and the officers had seen this the night before. They did not do anything until today.

My understanding prior to this incident was that NYC TLC plated vehicles and FHV drivers could make legal pickups at the Newark Airport. I had been making pickups at the airport since I was first licensed back in December and have made dozens of pickups right in front of the police with my lighted Uber sign. The police had ignored me until today.

Apparently, Newark City politics have caught up to the Newark Airport. Newark City wants their aging yellow taxi fleet to service the airport. The yellow taxi vehicles at the airport, composed of de-commissioned police cars that are no longer manufactured, are owned by independent owner/operators who pay 600 grand for a permit/medallion to operate at the airport. Owners rent out the permits at $1000 per week to drivers.

[LisaM]

2. Good news.

I'm sure people will still try to get around it.