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Virginia DMV Cracks Down On Uber, Lyft

Posted by Soulskill on from the markets-solve-many-things dept.

An anonymous reader writes 'Talk about regulatory capture! As radio station WTOP reports, "The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles says that ride services Lyft and Uber are violating state law and must stop operating immediately. The DMV sent cease and desist orders to both companies Thursday." Who benefits most? It's not the people who are voting with their dollars and feet — seems more like the current stable of taxi drivers and others blessed by the state of Virginia. Good thing there's no call for or benefit from greater per-car occupancy, or experimentation more generally with disruptive disintermediation. Given enough bribe money down the road, I'm sure a deal can be struck, though.'

5 of 260 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Seems reasonable... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    Two words: Unlicensed taxis

    http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/taxi

    — n , pl taxis , taxies
    1. cab , Also called: taxicab a car, usually fitted with a taximeter, that may be hired, along with its driver, to carry passengers to any specified destination

    So, how is Uber and Lyft not a taxi service despite the method to hire said drivers?

  2. Free Market... by amoeba1911 · · Score: 3, Informative

    This is a good example of how we have a "Free Market" in America... the big business is free to screw you over.

  3. Re:does this need refactoring by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    Uber is a "carpool" service now? i thought it was a service similar taxi's, but unlicensed.

  4. Re:does this need refactoring by David+Jao · · Score: 5, Informative

    Taxis take your credit card after the ride is over. A serial killer has plenty of time to do bad stuff to you before your card is used. Uber knows who you are from the moment you hail the cab.

  5. Crap like this is why I left Virginia. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Informative

    Virginia is a fascist state.

    I was born there, spent my entire life until I was nearly 20 years old there,
    and then once I had control of my own life I left, never to live there again.

    Virginia is not for lovers, Virginia is for LOSERS.

    FUCK Virginia. It is a fascist shithole. You don't have to believe me,
    but I am right on this.