When the city of Bremerton began requiring Uber drivers, who are independent contractors, to obtain a $75/year business license, the app-based ride-sharing company decided to pull the plug.
Now, Bremerton officials, who do not see the business license costs as burdensome, are left wondering why the multi-billion dollar company would decide to leave.
From the Kitsap Sun:
“Regulations were passed a few months back that make it very difficult, if not impossible, for ride-share services to thrive there,” said Michael Amodeo, an Uber spokesman.
City Attorney Roger Lubovich counters that the city does not include ride-share services like Uber, Lyft and others in its regulations for taxicabs. But like anyone else doing business in Bremerton, Uber’s independent contractors are subject to a $75 business license.
“It meets the definition of a business,” he said, noting that many other jurisdictions require business licenses as well.
Uber spokesman Michael Amodeo told the paper that the new regulation makes it “very difficult, if not impossible, for ride-share services to thrive there.”
Amodeo said Uber would welcome a conversation with the city.
While Bremerton officials remain perplexed at the ride service’s decision, the company’s biggest competitor, Lyft, will continue offering rides in the city.
