Martin Mannes arrested in Key West for being an Uber driver

Key West Uber driver was arrested Friday for allegedly running a vehicle for hire without a city license to do so.

The arrest of Martin Maness, 51, came following a recent city Police Department notice that the department would crack down on unlicensed vehicle-for-hire drivers. Department spokeswoman Alyson Crean said Friday's arrest followed complaints that Uber drivers were picking up fares from Key West International Airport. She said she didn't know who filed the complaints.

Maness is charged with two misdemeanor counts of violating the city's ordinance after an undercover police officer received a ride from Key West International on South Roosevelt Boulevard to the Reach Resort at 1435 Simonton St. He was booked into jail around 10:40 p.m. and bailed out early Saturday morning on $701 bond.

Uber and Lyft, a similar company not operating in Key West, use freelance drivers operating their own vehicles. Crean said Mannes knew about the crackdown but said he picked up fares anyway because the money was worth it.

Uber has had problems operating all over the world, with local governments saying its drivers violate local laws. Just last week, Uber pulled out of Broward County, citing the hassles.

Mannes could receive up to 60 days in jail and be fined $500.

Undercover Key West police cited two Uber drivers on Dec. 20 for failing to have the vehicle-for-hire license. Richard Owen Uhl, 61, has a hearing scheduled for Aug. 8 in front of Monroe County Circuit Court Judge Peary Fowler. Henry Braxton Allen, 34, is also due in court Aug. 5 before County Judge Wayne Miller.

Key West vehicle-for-hire licenses are limited and none have been available for more than 20 years. Ways to get a license would be to buy an existing one from another license holder or the City Commission could hold a public hearing on requests for new licenses in October of each even-numbered year.

Assuming new licenses are deemed necessary, they would be distributed on a random basis. The last drawing of taxi licenses took place in 1992.

From KeysInfo.net

posted from Bloggeroid

Comments

AnonymousJuly 15, 2015 at 9:19 PM
So, when is Hillsborough County going to start doing these stings? They could get the taxi cop to make calls for Uber and then have them drive them straight to jail. They could shut down the drivers in 1 week if they wanted. Even if Uber says the pay the fine, no driver wants an arrest record - Mom might get upset and take away her Buick.
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AnonymousJuly 19, 2015 at 1:24 AM
HCPTC is bought and paid for by Uber. Uber has millions, no billions so a bribe to these crooks aint shit!!!

Thats why these crooks aint doing shit!!! They have been paid to turn the other cheek!!!

Cracker
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