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Gerald Montgomery, a 51-year-old UberX driver, has been arrested on suspicion of second-degree burglary. He was reportedly trying to break into the Denver home of a woman he had just driven to Denver International Airport, and was found carrying "burglar tools". Uber says that Montgomery had passed all background checks, and the man had no criminal history in Colorado according to Colorado Bureau of Investigation records. Montgomery has been "deactivated" from the UberX platform and the Denver victim's fare was refunded.
The UberX platform requires drivers to operate their own vehicles and is less regulated than taxi services. Rides are covered by commercial insurance. An investigation [autoplay video] by NBC Los Angeles last year found that Uber has employed "screened" drivers with long-term felony records.
The company continues to attract unwanted attention around the globe; Uber's headquarters in Amsterdam has been raided twice this week, and an Uber employee has been arrested for obstructing the investigation. The investigators were looking for evidence that the company is continuing to operate UberPop, an urban ridesharing service deemed illegal by a Dutch court.
(Score: 2) by frojack on Sunday April 05 2015, @06:06PM
If anything Uber/Lyft will eventually force technology on taxi companies.
Probably not manners, or actual knowledge of the route, or the ability to speak the prevalent language, or a cab that doesn't smell like puke.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
(Score: 2) by isostatic on Sunday April 05 2015, @08:09PM
I'd be happy to use a local minicab company if it didn't involve phoning up some dodgy outfit on the off chance there's someone there, having to pay cash, and not having a clue if or when the car will arrive.
In Manchester (and the rest of the UK), Uber is just another private hire company. With better technology. And better drivers, the cars and drivers are registered and insured with the local councils with a cursory background check, have enforced MOT checks etc.
(Score: 2) by frojack on Sunday April 05 2015, @08:25PM
Well in the bulk of the US, Taxi regulations are there precisely to limit competition, not necessarily to uphold any standard of service.
Taxi regulation has long since been a Regulatory Capture [wikipedia.org] situation.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Nerdfest on Sunday April 05 2015, @09:36PM
It's just happened where I live. The local big local taxi company finally has a booking and billing app.