According to the Maryland Public Service Commission, Uber is no different than a taxicab or another common carrier and is subject to the same rules and regulations, the Baltimore Sun reports.
Under the ruling, all of Uber’s black car and SUV services will need to “apply for a motor carrier permit for both services within 60 days,” the Sun writes, or else they’ll be operating illegally.
However, those regulations for Uber won’t last. The ruling is only temporary, as the commission also “ordered its staff to begin crafting new rules for for-hire transportation companies it regulates, saying it recognizes ‘that many industry changes and technological advances have occurred since these regulations were adopted, including the everyday use of the Internet.'”
But the company isn’t thrilled about that. Uber argued that their operation isn’t a common carrier, but rather “a technology service that connects independent drivers with passengers through its app,” and says that, through the Telecommunications Act of 1996, they’re exempt from oversight by the Commission.
In a statement, Uber said that “the people of Maryland and their elected leaders support innovation and choice, Maryland’s PSC is stuck in the days of the horse and buggy,” and that they’ll appeal the Commissions rulings. Meanwhile, Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley said in a statement that the state “shouldn’t try to limit a 21st century marketplace with 20th century regulations,” and praised the commission for ruling that the rules be updated.
While Uber’s sedan and SUV services may be subjected to the same kind of regulations as taxicabs, Uber’s low-fare alternative UberX and the similar company Lyft don’t fall under the ruling the Commission made. Earlier today, Governor Terry McAuliffe’s office announced that Uber and Lyft can once again operate legally in Virginia after creating temporary legal framework.