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2 More Uber Drivers Ticketed In Fayetteville

FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM) – Two more drivers for a ride-sharing service were ticketed late last week in Fayetteville, as police say the service continues to violate l...
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FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM) – Two more drivers for a ride-sharing service were ticketed late last week in Fayetteville, as police say the service continues to violate local laws by existing in town.

The new citations mean four Uber drivers have been ticketed by Fayetteville police on suspicion of operating without a taxi permit, since the ride-sharing program came to Northwest Arkansas earlier this month.

As Uber debuted in Fayetteville over Labor Day, the city attorney released a statement saying anyone operating rides using the service would be breaking the law and subject to fines. An Uber smartphone application connects potential Uber drivers to customers, who alert the drivers via the mobile app that they need a ride.

Jesse Rosebloom, 31, was cited Thursday afternoon on suspicion of operating without a taxi permit, operating without public convenience and necessity and operating without a taxi inspection decal.

Steven Hicks, 21, was cited in the early hours of Friday morning on suspicion of the same potential violations.

Both Uber drives have October court dates set in Fayetteville District Court.

City attorney Kit Williams argued last month that Uber is a taxi service that has not followed the regulations and permit process needed for taxi cabs to operate in Fayetteville. City officials declared Uber would be openly breaking the law if they followed through on opening up in Fayetteville. Uber began operating shortly afterward as planned anyway.

Uber sent out an internal email to Fayetteville Uber drivers Wednesday saying the service would “continue to operate as usual.”

The email also states, “We want you to know that we support you — our partners — 100%. We will stand with you, defending you completely against unwarranted traffic tickets, by offering full financial restitution for any costs incurred as a result of these unfair actions.”

Two other Uber drivers were ticketed the previous weekend by undercover police and a bicycle officer. Police said they will continue to cite anyone breaking city laws, including Uber drivers.

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