Atlanta Cabbies Sue Uber

Atlanta taxi cab drivers have filed suit against a popular ride-sharing company that they claim is an unlicensed taxi business which is stealing their fares, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The lawsuit against Uber was filed in Fulton Superior Court by several metro Atlanta taxi cab drivers, who claim that Uber is violating city ordinances because its drivers’ vehicles, which serve as taxi cabs, do not possess a “certificate of public necessity and convenience.”

The AJC reports that the suit is seeking damages and also seeks class-action status, so the over 1,000 licensed taxi drivers in the Atlanta area can have a stake in the legal proceedings.

Uber told the AJC that it cannot comment on ongoing litigation, but said it will defend itself in court against the accusations.

According to Uber, their company operates by using a smartphone app that matches its private, contract drivers with customers who request a ride. The company uses the GPS locator inside the user’s cell phone to pair the user with the closest available Uber driver and directs the driver to the customer. The fare is calculated and 20 percent tip is automatically added to the customer’s bill.

Lawsuits against Uber have been filed in Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts, and at least 10 other states.