Need
a ride? The makers of the SideCar
smartphone app are offering them for free Saturday night.
The move follows a recent flap with the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) which
put the kibosh on SideCar's operations after conducting a sting, where
employees witnessed customers paying drivers for rides without the clearance to
do so.
PPA oversees cabs and limousine service in the city and regulates the business
side of taxi-like travel.
The
San Francisco-based app firm responded with to the city's cease and desist order
not charging customers, for now.
A co-founder with the company confirmed the free rides Saturday night, meaning
customers would not have to pay a suggested "donation" to their driver at the
end of their ride.
Instead
of collecting fees, SideCar users typically pay a recommended amount of money for
a trip from Point A to Point B.
The
app finds users via GPS and allows them to indicate their destination on a
map. A message is then sent to the
nearest driver, shows their picture and the vehicle being driven.
The
digital map allows users to see where the closest drivers are in relation to their
location.
The
company says all drivers are screened via a background check. SideCar
is operating on Friday and Saturday nights only for the time being in
Philadelphia.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:04 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:04:07 GMT
Bucks County EMT Bryan Elwell is heading out to Oklahoma to help assist overwhelmed emergency responders dealing with the deadly tornado aftermath in Moore, just outside Oklahoma City. He's prepared
Two local EMTs are headed to Oklahoma to help victims and crews dealing with the aftermath of a deadly tornado.
Monday, May 13 2013 1:53 PM EDT2013-05-13 17:53:44 GMT
Mother's Day just wasn't the same for Olga Ortiz of Newark, NJ. She said her daughter Melissa Rodriguez of Collingdale, would have spent the holiday weekend with family up there, but has not been seen
Police consider rebooting investigation of missing Delco mother as her mother marks Mother's Day without her.
Sunday, April 7 2013 5:32 PM EDT2013-04-07 21:32:07 GMT
A Philadelphia firefighter from Ladder 27 died fighting a three-alarm blaze Saturday night in the city's Queen Village neighborhood. A second firefighter was injured.
A Philadelphia firefighter from Ladder 27 died fighting a three-alarm blaze Saturday night in the city's Queen Village neighborhood. A second firefighter was injured.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:54 AM EDT2013-05-24 09:54:05 GMT
Not the prettiest Friday, but we're ready for a great weekend. Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms throughout the day. After an early high in the upper sixties, temperatures fall & winds pick up out of the chillier northwest. Right now the Memorial Day Weekend looks sunny and cool with highs in the low to mid 60s on Saturday, in the 70s Sunday & Monday. Cooler temps at the shore.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:27 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:27:11 GMT
The Boy Scouts of America throws open its ranks to gay Scouts but not gay Scout leaders - a compromise that some warned could fracture the organization and lead to mass defections of members and donors.
The Boy Scouts of America throws open its ranks to gay Scouts but not gay Scout leaders - a fiercely contested compromise that some warned could fracture the organization and lead to mass defections of members and donors.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:10 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:10:26 GMT
"If I die please take me to Heaven not to Hell." After a near death experience 12-year-old Ibn Anderson showed us how he got down on one knee and prayed for his life. Bandages hide the bullet wounds from
"If I die please take me to Heaven not to Hell." After a near death experience 12-year-old Ibn Anderson showed us how he got down on one knee and prayed for his life. Bandages hide the bullet wounds from
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:04 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:04:43 GMT
If you think a high school sophomore and an 88 year old World War II veteran wouldn't have a lot in common. Think again. When Joseph Blaisse was looking for his final Eagle Scout project he thought of
If you think a high school sophomore and an 88 year old World War II veteran wouldn't have a lot in common. Think again.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:25 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:25:16 GMT
The Philadelphia Parking Authority gets caught on tape breaking the rules, or so it appears. The PPA responds to a video that has gone viral in Philly.
The Philadelphia Parking Authority gets caught on tape breaking the rules, or so it appears. The PPA responds to a video that has gone viral in Philly.
