A law that would regulate ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft failed to pass the Legislature this year. It’s unclear when or if those companies will begin service in certain Alabama communities.
Uber is blaming the cities involved. Al.com reports a spokesperson for Uber singled out Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson as being primarily responsible for the stalled legislation.
The Uber representative, Evangeline George, says it’s unfortunate that the mayors of Huntsville and Mobile blocked a set of rules that would have allowed the service to operate throughout the state.
Representatives for both cities are defending their positions. It’s setting up a potential legal standoff over whether ride sharing services should be regulated by the Alabama Public Service Commission, or by the governments of the cities in which they operate.