As Technical.ly previously reported, Lyft is coming to New York. The ridesharing service was supposed to launch tonight in Brooklyn and Queens at 7 p.m.
However, Lyft agreed, in negotiations with the court, to hold off on launching, according to this statement from Lyft spokesperson Katie Dally.
There was no TRO or injunction granted today. Instead, the judge adjourned to Monday and we agreed to hold our launch and maintain status quo. We are obtaining the court transcript, and we will obtain statements by those in court to show this is a deliberate misstatement by the AG and DFS. There would be no need for a hearing on Monday if a TRO or injunction was granted. As further proof that court was adjourned, the AG’s insurance claims were never presented and Lyft had no opportunity to respond.
We agreed in New York State Supreme Court to put off the launch of Lyft’s peer-to-peer model in New York City and we will not proceed with this model unless it complies with New York City Taxi and Limousine regulations. We will meet with the TLC beginning Monday to work on a new version of Lyft that is fully-licensed by the TLC, and we will launch immediately upon the TLC’s approval. This is a positive step forward and a good demonstration of compromise in balancing innovation with government regulation, and we appreciate the continued efforts of New York City government to find common ground for the betterment of New York.
Meanwhile, Who’s Driving You? released the statement below at roughly the same time. The organization doesn’t identify itself on its website, but according to The Washington Post it is an effort launched by strategic communications firm Melwood Global on behalf of the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association. Here’s the statement from Who’s Driving You? spokesperson, Dave Sutton:
The motion for a Temporary Restraining Order language says it all: ‘As it has done in every other city in which it operates, defendant (Lyft) has simply waltzed into New York and set up shop while defying every law passed whose very purpose is to protect the people of the State of New York.’
New York is smart to pursue strong enforcement of its public-safety laws against Lyft. Elsewhere, we’ve seen cities and states half-heartedly attempt to curb Lyft’s illegal taxi service and the company refuses to honor their cease-and-desist orders.
Earlier this week, Lyft said that New York City would be the company’s biggest launch to date — tapping ten times more drivers than it usually deploys in a new city.
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