Uber Fined $7.3M For Keeping Information From California Regulators, Judge Rules
SANTA ANA (CBSLA.com/AP) — Uber has been fined $7.3 million after a judge found that the company refused to give California regulators information about the ride-hailing company's business practices, including accident details and how accessible vehicles are to disabled riders.
The fine came Wednesday from an administrative law judge at the California Public Utilities Commission.
The regulatory agency allowed Uber and its competitors such as Lyft to operate in the state as long as the companies reported aspects of their activities.
The judge agreed with utility commission staff who said Uber has not filed all required reports, specifically how often it provided disabled-accessible vehicles when requested, places where drivers tend to turn down ride requests, and the causes of accidents.
"It indicates how serious the responsibility is to include people with disabilities in any public accommodation," said Lillibeth Navarro, a disability advocate who hopes the fine will shed light on the need for the private company to serve the public.
But Scott Bradley, who has been an Uber driver for four months, says he doesn't expect the fine to impact his Orange County clients.
"Everybody that gets in my car basically says, 'I love Uber. I'm never gonna stop using it.' And so for me, I'm not worried at all," he said.
In a written statement, Uber spokeswoman Eva Behrend said the company had provided sufficient information and would appeal the ruling.
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