The ban on UberX and Lyft in Philadelphia has been temporarily reversed thanks to a newly issued ruling by a Commonwealth Court judge.
But that won't stop the Philadelphia Parking Authority from ticketing drivers and impounding their cars.
They're the latest developments in the ongoing saga over whether the 21st century transportation services will be permitted to operate in the city.
Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson issued a preliminary injunction against the PPA on behalf of Uber late Friday afternoon. In the court order, Simpson ruled the PPA's ban is causing irreparable harm to the ridesharing company.
Lyft was not part of Uber's court filing, but a spokesperson tells NBC10 they'll continue to operate as if the stay also applies to them.
For more than a year, UberX and Lyft have been flipping between legally and illegally operating as the PPA, lawmakers and taxi drivers argue over regulations and whether the services should be allowed to exist.
UberX and Lyft were granted the right to temporarily operate in Philadelphia over the summer to alleviate surges in demand during the Democratic National Convention and SEPTA's regional rail troubles. That agreement ended on September 30.
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The app-driven ridesharing services hire everyday people, who use their personal cars, to transport passengers to a destination. Taxi drivers say it's unfair that they pay the PPA high fees for licenses and carry large insurance policies, while UberX and Lyft drivers don't.
The state legislature is expected to take up a measure this month that would permanently allow the services to operate.
Without a permanent agreement, the PPA said earlier this week it planned to return to enforcing the ban -- meaning drivers could get slapped with a $1,000 fine and have their car impounded. They also risk arrest.
UberX or Lyft users will not face legal action or fines, PPA general counsel Dennis Weldon told NBC10.
Following news of the judge's temporary stay, a spokesman for the parking authority said Friday night the decision won't deter the agency from enforcing the ban.
"The Authority is permitted to continue with normal enforcement activities and will do so," PPA spokesman Martin O'Rourke said.
Weldon said the PPA wouldn't take action against drivers while they're transporting passengers.
The fight hasn't Uber's signature service, Uber Black, which is similar to a limosouine service.
UberX and Lyft have carried out more than one million rides in Philadelphia since launching.
