Philadelphia journalist went undercover as an Uber driver — here's how much she made

[BumRushDaShow]

32. Here is a link to the article from the journalist herself from a local Philly paper

http://citypaper.net/uberdriver/

I remember all the rancorous discussion about them here - notably because the livery services (taxis, limos, etc) are intensely regulated her by the PA Public Utility Commission (PUC) and the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA). And I remember reading a recent article about the taxi medallion costs and how they were slowly forced to reduce the price.

In fact, according to my linked article, the service is still technically illegal (despite our City Council authorizing them to be here).

Philly was one of the last big U.S. cities to get UberX, likely because of the Philadelphia Parking Authority's (PPA) ferocious reputation. Even though it's popular and widespread (in April, Uber celebrated its millionth Philly UberX ride), UberX is still not legal here. PPA executive director Vince Fenerty Jr. sent over a statement:

UberX and competitor Lyft are both illegal taxi services that use an app to connect people looking for rides with private citizens willing to use their own vehicle as a commercial taxi. Unlike the 1,600 licensed medallion cabs in the city, there is no guarantee these cars are clean, safe, inspected or insured.

Their drivers have no training and have not gone through extensive driving or criminal background checks.

Drivers providing illegal taxi service in Philadelphia will be fined $1,000, as well as having their cars impounded and be required to pay all associated towing, storage and court costs. Drivers are also committing a misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine of $2,500 and/or a one-year jail sentence.

http://citypaper.net/uberdriver/

I know for years, they have gone after what were dubbed "gypsy cabs", where, for example, you had drivers serving neighborhoods where taxis refused to go, in order to take folks (often the elderly) to supermarkets outside of their neighborhoods (because they had no supermarkets where they lived), and then they would wait until they were done, and bring them home. Amazing how "things change".