LA Gives Uber Ultimatum: Shape Up Or Ship Out

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles Department of Transportation has given Uber until Friday to start sharing real-time ridership data with the city about it's JUMP e- bicycles and scooters. If the company fails to comply, its ability to rent dockless scooters and bikes in LA will be suspended.

With the ultimatum, the city is raising the stakes in the ongoing conflict between the city and the ride-hailing giant. City officials contend that all vendors that contract with the city to rent dockless scooters and bikes must share real-time ridership data as a condition of the contract. It enables the city to manage dockless scooters, bikes, taxis and buses. But Uber claims the data-sharing is onerous, arbitrary and a violation of company policy. The company is famous for its willingness to push-back against regulation.

According to a letter from the LADOT, Uber stated that it could not comply with the permit requirements as the company's policies prevented it from meeting the "mobility data specification," which would give the city information on how the bikes are used.

The specification enables cities to manage dockless scooters, bikes, taxis and buses.

"Every other company that is permitted in Los Angeles is following the rules," Transportation Department spokeswoman Connie Llanos told the Los Angeles Times. "We look forward to being able to work with Uber on getting them into compliance."

Uber's JUMP subsidiary has until Friday to respond to the suspension or request an administrative hearing with the LADOT's general manager; otherwise the suspension will go in effect.

Uber representatives declined to comment but provided letters the company sent to the DOT, saying it would take legal action if a compromise cannot be reached.

"It is patently unfair and improper for LADOT to place JUMP in temporary suspension and start a 10-day clock in which JUMP is required to decide whether to participate in an opaque process as to which LADOT has failed to offer any specifics at all," the letter from Uber reads. "We object to the temporary suspension of our permit in these circumstances."

The letter also described the department's action as an "eleventh- hour" review process.

Los Angeles City Council last year adopted a pilot program that regulates the number of electric bicycles and scooters each company can have in its fleet.

After demonstrating compliance with program requirements and meeting certain performance criteria, LADOT can allow companies to increase their fleet size.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.