State of Pennsylvania Fines Uber for Unauthorized Operations

On Thursday, officials in Pennsylvania have levied an $11.4 million fine against Uber for operating without the required approval within the state for six months in 2014. Uber plans on appealing the decision.

According to The Associated Press, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission originally received a recommendation to fine Uber $50 million by two administrative law judges, but officials decided on the lower amount due to the ride-hailing service’s willingness to comply with state rules and a lack of complaints.

Uber was issued a cease-and-desist order, but continued to operate for a month after receiving the notice. Officials from Pennsylvania also claims the company obstructed the formal investigation of the incident.

Pennsylvania officials released a statement about the case, saying, “It must be recognized that Uber has deliberately engaged in the most unprecedented series of willful violations of commission orders and regulations in the history of this agency. A record number of proven violations should be expected to result in a record setting fine.”

In response, Uber spokesperson Jason Post expressed shock about the fine’s amount and said that the company did not harm anyone during its violations. The ride-hailing service also claims that the commission subsequently approved the same operations a short time later.

Source: Travel Pulse