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Ride service Uber gets OK in Pittsburgh area

Uber Technologies Inc. was granted legal authority Thursday to operate its ride-sharing service in Allegheny County. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission gave Uber permission to operate for 60 days, while it seeks permanent authority. Lyft, another ride-share service, won similar approval last week.

Uber Technologies Inc. was granted legal authority Thursday to operate its ride-sharing service in Allegheny County.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission gave Uber permission to operate for 60 days, while it seeks permanent authority. Lyft, another ride-share service, won similar approval last week.

The two San Francisco-based companies, which allow customers to summon rides in private cars through a smart-phone app, had been operating without legal authority in Pittsburgh since early this year and faced thousands of dollars in fines.

To get the temporary authority, the companies had to meet PUC requirements for driver insurance, criminal background checks, vehicle safety standards and other requirements.

- Paul Nussbaum