Massachusetts? Division of Standards has apologized to transportation start-up company Uber Boston after stripping their right to utilize GPS device to calculate travel charges. They have reinstated their right to use the GPS devices pending the results of a national study.
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Uber relies on a smartphone app and GPS device to calculate charges for customers, which officials balked at as there is no such service currently in the city?s transportation businesses. Boston officials said, ?only approved deices can be used in commercial transactions? and ?the use of unapproved GPS systems to assess the transportation charges must be discontinued.?
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The ruling claims that frequent customers were up in arms when they discovered the GPS device-based transportation option was no longer operational, starting a petition to bring the service back to the Commonwealth. Officials were made aware of a study being conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology involving GPS devices and their viability as taximeters.
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The Division of Standards claimed these GPS tracking devices were not a legitimate method to charge customers utilizing Uber Boston, and handed a cease and desist on August 1.
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Governor Deval Patrick disagreed, and the state released this statement: ?Recently, the Division of Standards informed Uber that the device they use to calculate fare and distance need to be certified by a national standard setting organization and, until that process began, the device could not be used in Massachusetts. The Division has since learned that this device is already being evaluated for certification by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Because of this, the Division will issue an operating certificate to Uber. Therefore, Uber is currently not out of compliance with state law and free to continue operating.?
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Uber Boston appreciates the efforts of the governor to support their business. In a statement to BostInno, a representative for the company says, ?Today was a big win for Boston?s tech community and for all of its citizens that deserve the Uber transportation alternative.?
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If it weren?t for the petition started by the people showing their need for this innovative service, things may not have worked out so well. A tweet from Brendan Ryan, who deals with communications for Governor Patrick, stated ?With all @massgovernor has done for the innovation economy, we?re not shutting down [Uber Boston]. Working on a swift resolution.? Ryan went on to say he utilizes Uber Boston?s services himself, and that it is quite popular in the Governor?s office. Mayor Tom Menino also supports the services.
Source: http://www.rmtracking.com/blog/2012/10/10/boston-oks-uber-bostons-gps-services/
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