Uber Service Hits A Wall In The Hamptons

Customers of the ride-sharing company in the town of East Hampton, New York, received an unexpected email late last week (June 5) informing them of the service being banned in the popular vacation spot.

According to local news site 27east.com, Uber’s operations were halted early Friday due to it being unable to work in accordance to the town’s taxi licensing law.

“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,” company spokesman Matt Wing told 27east.com. “Unfortunately the East Hampton Town Supervisor and Town Board have changed the rules, banning Uber from the town and denying their constituents access to our service.”

While the car-ordering app was not banned outright in East Hampton, the town is now requiring each Uber driver have an office in the beachside town in order to keep operating there, Time reported. To which Uber made clear in its email to riders, “is impossible for our partners.”

“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 continued, according to 27east. “We need your help to bring Uber back. Make your voice heard and contact Town Supervisor [Larry] Cantwell today—tell him you need Uber in East Hampton.”

It didn’t take long for the Uber riders of East Hampton to respond.

Just hours after the email was sent, Cantwell told 27east.com his office received more than 100 phone calls and 600 emails regarding the town code that stopped Uber’s service.

“Some are from East Hampton, some are from afar: Seattle, Boston and elsewhere,” Cantwell said. “Most of them are supportive of Uber, but not all of them. We understand this is part of their strategy, and that’s fine.”

The fate of Uber’s service in the well-known summer getaway hub is yet to be determined, but this may not be the last time ridesharing regulations trump convenience for customers.

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