The Public Utility Commission Monday issued an Emergency Order allowing Lyft to temporarily operate older vehicles in southeastern Pennsylvania, in an effort to address a “transportation emergency” in the Philadelphia area.
The Commission action mirrors approval last week of a request from Uber’s Pennsylvania affiliate, allowing the use of some vehicles that are older than allowed by PUC regulations.
The Commission’s orders for Lyft and Uber allow both transportation network companies to temporarily operate vehicles 15 years and newer in the counties surrounding Philadelphia – including Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery – effective through Sept. 30, 2016.
Current PUC regulations limit the use of vehicles for call and demand services to no more than 10 model years old or 350,000 miles of cumulative mileage.
In approving both emergency orders, the Commission considered concerns about the availability of transportation options in the Philadelphia area, given the removal of rail cars from the SEPTA regional rail fleet, the height of the summer tourist season and the Democratic National Convention.
They also underscored that all Lyft and Uber vehicles must continue to comply with all other PUC regulatory and inspection standards.
