The Public Utility Commission Thursday approved the compliance plan filed by Lyft Inc., thus granting the company a two-year license for experimental service to operate throughout Pennsylvania, excluding the City of Philadelphia, effective immediately.
“We agree with staff that the filing before us adequately demonstrates compliance with the conditions in the Dec. 18 Order,” said PUC Chairman Robert F. Powelson in a joint statement with Commissioner Pamela A. Witmer. “This action today exemplifies our stance that this innovative use of the public space should be encouraged in a way that is consistent with protecting the traveling public and supporting economic development.”
The Commission voted 5-0 to approve Lyft’s compliance plan, which was filed on Jan. 21 as a result of a Dec. 18 Order which granted the company an experimental license contingent upon its compliance with a list of conditions. The conditions were designed to ensure driver integrity, vehicle safety and insurance protections.
Even with the approval and issuance of an experimental license, which is good for two years, the Commission continues to maintain that a legislative solution for Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) such as Lyft is the best answer for Pennsylvania.
“This case has brought to the forefront the need for both legislative and regulatory reforms in the passenger carrier space,” said Chairman Powelson in the joint statement. “The Commission looks forward to continuing its work with the General Assembly on TNC legislation and further intends to review our own regulations in the future, as necessary, to accommodate the current state of the transportation industry.”
The action comes nearly two weeks after the Commission approved the compliance plan filed by Uber subsidiary Rasier-PA LLC (Rasier), thus granting it a two-year experimental license to operate throughout Pennsylvania, excluding Philadelphia.
