U.S. regulator says D.C. taxi rules may be too restrictive, sides with Uber

Federal regulators are warning the DC’s taxicab commission that proposed rules on services like Uber that use smartphone app to pay and hail taxis could be overly restrictive….FTC submitted written comments to the D.C. Taxicab Commission on Wednesday, warning that some of its rules could stifle competition and hurt consumers.

“These software applications are an innovative form of competition that may enable consumers to more easily arrange and pay for commercial passenger motor vehicle transportation services….We note that this restriction [from DCTC] does not appear to be related to any evident concern with safety or consumer protection and that its rationale is not obvious,” the FTC wrote.

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