Newark Uber Crackdown Delayed, Port Authority Won't Ticket Uber Drivers

Newark, NJ – Uber drivers who plan to operate at Newark Airport or Newark Penn Station have received a temporary reprieve from a city crackdown, but may still be facing the possibility of a ticket in the future.

“I have instructed our police department effective Feb. 22 to immediately tow Uber drivers operating in and around Newark Airport and Newark Penn Station,” Evans Anyanwu, the city’s chief prosecutor, wrote in a recent letter to Uber’s general counsel in San Francisco, NorthJersey.com reported.

Anyanwu stated that the company’s drivers are violating the city’s taxicab ordinance.

The warning was temporarily rescinded on Friday.

“All taxis and limos will be treated fairly and we will not single out Uber for violations only,” Anthony Ambrose, Newark’s public safety director said.

City officials announced on Friday that there will be no towing of vehicles or arrests until a meeting is held with the prosecutor, NJ.com reported.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka told The Washington Times that commercial vehicles have to be licensed to operate at the train station or airport, but also called for state lawmakers to create legislation that would clarify the issue.

Uber stated that it would not advise drivers, who are independent contractors, to avoid those areas.

“We’ll continue to stand by our driver-partners by fully compensating those subject to unjust fines or citations as a result of the city’s actions,” Uber spokesman Craig Ewer told NorthJersey.com.

Uber said it has about 15,000 independent contractor drivers in the state, The Washington Times reported.

PORT AUTHORITY AND UBER

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced on Friday that they will not be taking action against Uber drivers.

“We have received numerous inquiries over the past few days about the policy of this agency with regard to utilization of ridesharing firms such as Uber and Lyft at Newark Liberty International Airport. The Port Authority Police Department will not take steps to prevent access to such services by passengers or others on the premises owned or leased by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.”

Agency spokespeople continued:

“The Port Authority has a responsibility to provide safe and convenient services for travelers. It also recognizes that it must partner with local municipalities which host its facilities and will resolve any differences which may exist in a reasonable and fair manner.”

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