Thursday, November 21, 2019

California Tried To Fine a Company $10,000 for Ordering Blind People Ubers and Lyfts Without a Permit – Reason.com

California Tried To Fine a Company $10,000 for Ordering Blind People Ubers and Lyfts Without a Permit – Reason.com

  • GoGo Grandparent gives people without smartphones a way to use rideshare services. Regulators think that's a problem.

"California regulators are trying to crack down on a company that orders Ubers for the blind and elderly.
See the source image...Regulators demanded that the company pay a $10,000 fine and obtain the necessary permit to run a transportation network company, which would involve getting $1 million liability insurance for its vehicles and handing over lists of its drivers to the state.
But GoGo doesn't own any vehicles, and it doesn't contract directly with any drivers.
Instead, for the past four years, the company has been providing a toll-free hotline that customers without a smartphone can call to order an Uber or Lyft ride to their home or another prearranged location.
Using customer-provided information, GoGo's software automatically orders a ride, then charges a 27-cent-per-mile fee for its services.
GoGo's service is aimed at elderly and disabled people who either don't have or can't use smartphones. 
Its novelty and perceived public benefit—improving mobility for seniors—has earned the company coverage from such outlets as The New York Times and TechCrunch.
State regulators have taken a more negative view..."
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