Judge Dismisses Taxi Lawsuit Against Uber

A federal judge has agreed to dismiss a lawsuit brought by a coalition of taxi operators in Connecticut against car service provider Uber.

A group of 13 Connecticut taxi and livery companies and the Taxicabs and Livery Council of Connecticut filed a lawsuit in May of last year against Uber and Lyft, claiming that they had created “illegal transportation services that violate federal and state laws and regulations,” and that the companies “deceive customers about the fares they must pay, the safety of the cars and drivers transporting them, the insurance coverage available, and the legality of their offered services.”

The taxi companies argued that, in contrast to Uber and Lyft, they “have invested substantial capital in complying with a compendium of federal, state and local laws, regulations and rules…”

The lawsuit alleged violations of five federal statutes, including false advertising, false association, and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).

According to HartfordBusiness.com, Judge Alvin W. Thompson, however, approved Uber’s motion to dismiss the case, agreeing that the taxi companies had failed to adequately state their legal claims for the alleged violations.

Thompson, however, also granted the taxi companies’ request to file an amended complaint within 30 days.

The taxi companies also sued the state of Connecticut in March, alleging the government had failed to regulate Uber. The state is claiming sovereign immunity against the accusations made by the cab companies.