Ridesharing service Uber is still offering its services across South Carolina despite a “cease and desist” order from the state Thursday.
Uber – which employs area drivers to use their own cars to pick up and deliver people to various destinations as a kind of taxi – has been operational in South Carolina since June 2014. Consumer protection agency the Office of Regulatory Staff declared the company’s operations in South Carolina illegal at that time, prompting Uber’s state subsidiary Rasier LLC to apply for permission to operate with the Public Service Commission.
State regulatory agency the Public Service Commission said Uber – which applied for a certificate to operate within the state in June– “must cease and desist operating unless and until the Application is approved and a Certificate is issued.”
The order applies to rides beginning or ending outside of incorporated areas and municipalities. Uber media representative said the company plans to continue operating in all parts of the state, including the areas that the order applies to.
Individual municipalities and unincorporated areas must decide about Uber on their own, said Office of Regulatory Staff Executive Director Dukes Scott, but it might be in the best interest of Uber’s application if the company complied with the order.
City of Greenville representatives have said they would wait on a state decision before making a decision about Uber’s permission to operate legally. Unlike the City of Charleston, the City of Greenville has made no moves to stop Uber’s operations within city limits.
“Consumers benefit from, and deserve choices in, the marketplace,” according to the order. “However, those choices must be consisted with state law intended to protect the public.”
Uber media representative Kaitlin Durkosh said that the company plans to and is continuing to operate across the state despite the order.
“Despite working closely with the PSC for the past several months on a permanent solution for Uber in South Carolina, yesterday’s actions are unexpected and not reflective of the progress made thus far,” said Uber spokesperson Taylor Bennett in a prepared statement. “We will challenge the order and remain committed to providing South Carolinians with greater opportunity and choice.”
Enforcement of the cease and desist order as it pertains to Uber services is unclear, particularly since the cars of Uber drivers are unmarked.
Representatives from the Office of Regulatory Staff could not be reached in time for publishing. Representatives for the City of Greenville Attorney’s Office and the City of Greenville Police Department were also unable to be reached in time for publishing.
The Office of Regulatory Staff intervened in Uber subsidiary Rasier LLC’s application request. Transportation companies Checker Yellow Cab Company Inc. of Balentine, S.C. and Going Coastal LLC of North Charleston also intervened. A hearing was set for Jan. 26, but the hearing has been postponed until further notice.
This morning, several Uber cars were available on the company app for service in the Greenville area.
All companies that transport people for money need to get permission before beginning operations, according to a Public Service Commission directive order filed yesterday.
