Rejecting Uber, Lyft would hurt ‘Maryland’s image as a tech state’: state Sen. Bill Ferugson

Whether ridesharing startups Uber and Lyft will remain in Maryland is under question.
As Technical.ly Baltimore reported last week, the staff counsel to the state’s Public Service Commission recommended in Case 9325 that Uber and other ridesharing companies file for common carrier status.
Right now the Maryland General Assembly is considering legislation that would define both companies as “Transportation Network Application Companies” and make them exempt from filing for common carrier status with the Public Service Commission, as taxicab companies must do.
Read more about the new legislation
State Sen. Bill Ferguson, who introduced the senate’s version of the legislation, thinks Uber “would leave the state altogether if Maryland chooses to regulate it like a cab service,” according to the Baltimore Sun. As he said to the Sun, “It would be a travesty to Maryland’s image as a ‘tech state’ if we reject these innovative companies.”
Read more at the Baltimore Sun.