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Uber to offer wheelchair-accessible car service [The Philadelphia Inquirer](Philadelphia Inquirer (PA) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Sept. 22--Uber, the ride-sharing company that matches riders with drivers by smart-phone app, will now provide connections to wheelchair-accessible vehicles in Philadelphia, Uber said Monday. Uber has contracted with licensed paratransit drivers who have accessible vehicles, and customers can begin using the service immediately, Uber spokesman Taylor Bennett said Monday. The announcement comes one day before a legislative committee meets in Harrisburg to consider permitting Uber and other ride-share services to operate in Philadelphia and around the state. One of the complaints against Uber by Philadelphia taxi operators has been that Uber does not provide wheelchair accessible vehicles. The Philadelphia Parking Authority, which regulates taxis in the city, is issuing 45 medallions for accessible minivan cabs this year, with 150 to be issued over the next seven years. Currently, there are only seven accessible cabs in the 1,600-cab fleet in Philadelphia. Uber said it has contracted with existing drivers in Philadelphia who have vehicles with licenses issued by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, since the parking authority doesn't have authority over paratransit services. That would allow Uber to operate without regulation by the parking authority, which has opposed UberX, the separate ride-sharing service using private vehicles, as an illegal taxi service. [email protected] 215-854-4587 @nussbaumpaul ___ (c)2014 The Philadelphia Inquirer Visit The Philadelphia Inquirer at www.philly.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |