transportation

Pennsylvania Postpones Ride-Sharing Hearings

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has postponed a hearing to consider a permanent license for the ride-sharing company Lyft.

The PUC last month gave the San Francisco-based firm Lyft and its competitor, Uber,temporary permission to operate in the Pittsburgh area until their applications for permanent "experimental" licenses can be heard. The services need "experimental" approval because they operate differently than taxis and other transportation covered by PUC regulations.

The ride-sharing companies use smartphone apps to dispatch drivers who use their own personal vehicles to give people rides. The drivers then share the fares they collect with the companies.

Lyft's hearing before administrative law judges was scheduled for Thursday and Friday at the PUC's Pittsburgh office, but it will now be Aug. 27 and Sept. 3 to accommodate witnesses.

Uber's hearing is Aug. 18-19.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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