Portsmouth Attorney to Represent Cabbies in Dispute with Uber

As the national ride-service Uber expands its operations in New Hampshire, Portsmouth attorney Joe Plaia announced that he has been retained to petition Portsmouth’s municipal government for equal treatment of Uber and the city’s existing taxi cab providers. Plaia will be addressing Portsmouth City Council at its meeting on Feb. 2, and has presented a letter to city attorneys summarizing his position.

The meeting begins at 6:30 in Council Chambers.

“Taxi cab companies go to great lengths to earn the confidence of the people and government of Portsmouth,” said Plaia. “The taxi companies must have $300,000 of commercial vehicle insurance coverage, pay fees for medallions, obtain a full criminal and motor vehicle background check, have meters certified by the state, and a undergo a heightened vehicle inspection performed by the Department of Public Works to assure the safety and security of their riders - Uber doesn’t. It isn’t fair and risks compromising public safety.”

Uber’s rapid expansion has been marked by their drivers committing crimes against their passengers. The crimes range from assaults, thefts, sexual assaults, kidnapping and rape. The concern is so great that many other states are taking action to ensure Uber is either banned in their jurisdiction or subject to the same regulations other taxi companies abide by. In addition, Uber drivers have also been in traffic accidents that have resulted in injuries to their passengers, and in one case the death of a 6-year-old girl.