Maryland's Public Service Commission ordered a company that links people seeking rides with freelance drivers to apply to operate as a for-hire carrier.
Chief Public Utility Law Judge Terry J. Romine said in a ruling issued Thursday that Uber Technologies is a common carrier subject to PSC regulation. She said Uber has 60 days to apply for a motor carrier permit.
Rachel Holt, Uber East Coast regional general manager, said Uber is a technology company, not a transportation company. She said the PCS ruling is the first time any jurisdiction in the more than 100 cities in which Uber operates has found it to be a transportation company.
Uber, which started operating in Baltimore in January 2013 and now is all over the state, will appeal, Holt said.
