Anchorage

Anchorage challenges Uber in court

The Municipality of Anchorage has gone to court to stop commercial ride-sharing service Uber from operating outside local laws governing taxis.

Bryce Hyslip, spokesman for Mayor Dan Sullivan, said Saturday that the municipality filed in state Superior Court Friday afternoon seeking an injunction that would require Uber to cease all Anchorage operations. Municipal attorney Dennis Wheeler said last week that Anchorage was considering going to court to force the company to stop operating in Anchorage.

The municipality had previously sent two cease-and-desist letters, which it says were ignored, and cited one Uber driver, a fine the company said it would pay.

Sloane Unwin, CEO of Alaska Yellow Dispatch, told KTUU News that the taxi company plans to join the municipality's request for injunction.

Anchorage Assembly member Dick Traini has introduced an ordinance that would allow Uber and similar businesses to operate in the municipality under a "memorandum of understanding for a pilot program." That ordinance will be heard and public comment accepted at an Oct. 21 Assembly meeting.

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