Anchorage, Alaska is taking court action to stop ride-sharing company Uber from operating in the city.
The city requested an injunction and a temporary restraining order against Uber Technologies Inc. in civil superior court on Friday, KTUU reported.
Uber provides a smartphone app that allows people to order rides in privately driven cars instead of taxis.
The entry into the transportation marketplace by companies like Uber and Lyft has left legislators and local officials struggling to catch up with emerging technology that competes with traditional taxis and limos, but with less overhead. The drivers of the new companies, for example, use their personal cars and often do it for extra cash to supplement their income at other jobs.
A handful of state legislatures this year have tried and failed to pass bills to provide oversight for the so-called ridesharing companies. Taxi and limo companies have objected, arguing the web-based businesses have an unfair advantage and light regulation. Several municipalities nationwide are also grappling with the issue.
The service launched in Anchorage just over two weeks ago.
Uber didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment about Anchorage’s action that was made through its website on Saturday.
The city declined to comment on the municipality’s filing. But Alaska Yellow Dispatch CEO Sloane Unwin said the local cab company plans to add its name to the request for an injunction.
The city did exactly what it should do to uphold its laws, Unwin said.
Topics Sharing Economy Ridesharing
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