GRETNA, LA (AP) — A state judge has dismissed a lawsuit accusing drivers for the ride-hailing service UberX of using unfair trade practices to compete against the parish's taxi drivers.
The New Orleans Advocate reports Judge Ellen Kovach, of 24th Judicial District Court in Gretna, ruled Tuesday that the 20 plaintiffs in the case had no cause of action when they sued several UberX drivers in February. The taxi drivers alleged that the defendants were picking up fares without obtaining the costly "certificates of public necessity and convenience" that the parish requires for anyone operating a for-hire vehicle.
The defendants, who were represented by attorney Matt Coman, argued that requirement does not apply to cars affiliated with services like UberX following the passage of a state law addressing such issues last year.