Uber Pulls Plug on Ride Service in East Hampton Town

Uber, the nationwide on-call ride-sharing service, suspended its operations from Wainscott to Montauk following a meeting with East Hampton Town officials on Friday.

Town Supervisor Larry Cantwell made the announcement on Friday morning after he and town enforcement officials met with Josh Mohrer, an Uber general manager, and other staff to discuss the influx of Uber drivers working within town limits. Uber cars, which can be summoned with a smartphone app, do not meet all of the town's standards for taxicabs. A taxi law adopted several years ago and revised in 2014 requires cab companies to have a town business license, licenses for each of their vehicles, which triggers inspections by town ordinance enforcement officers, and licenses for individual drivers. A New York State chauffeur's license does not suffice.

Last week more than 20 drivers who were partnered with Uber were charged with misdemeanors for allegedly operating vehicles for hire without the town license. 

The town ordinance requirement that each driver register a business license in their own name that corresponds to a physical business office in East Hampton, is an impossibility, Uber representatives said. 

"For the last several summers, Uber obtained local licenses from the Town of East Hampton so residents could get reliable and affordable rides with the push of a button. Unfortunately, the East Hampton Town supervisor and town board have changed the rules, banning Uber from the town and denying their constitutents access to our service," said Matthew Wing, a spokesman for Uber New York. 

“We applaud Uber for taking the responsible step of suspending their operations until such time that they comply with the town’s licensing requirements,” Supervisor Cantwell said in a press release. “The town will not tolerate any vehicles not complying with our regulations, nor will we allow drivers to be sleeping in vehicles for hire, obstructing traffic, and taking up limited parking spaces in hamlet centers that should be available for residents and visitors.”

Mr. Wing said the situation is an unfortunate one, particularly for summer visitors, due to "an unquestionable need and demand for Uber in the Hamptons because taxi service has been historically unreliable."

Uber has notified its customers and drivers, claiming that the town supervisor had banned the company.

"As a result riders like you will be unable to get reliable, safe rides in any part of East Hampton out to Montauk — effective immediately," the email read. "We need your help to bring Uber back. Make your voice heard and contact Town Supervisor Cantwell today — tell him you need Uber in East Hampton," it said, followed by a link to send the supervisor an email with a prepared message.

With Uber drivers off the road, there remain more than 220 licensed taxis and vehicles for hire, as well as other public transportation options available, the supervisor said.