Ride-sharing service Uber announced Wednesday that it is putting its business in Nevada on hold after receiving a restraining order from a judge regarding the safety of its services.
A Washoe County District Court issued a preliminary injunction on Tuesday that was requested by the Nevada Transportation Authority, arguing that the company's current model, which has few regulations, could put passengers in danger, according to CNET. The death of a 6-year-old girl, who was hit and killed by an Uber driver on New Year's Eve in San Francisco, was among several incidents used to point towards a lack of safety in Uber's service.
San Francisco-based Uber, which has been around for five years, provides an app that people can use to connect to drivers and hitch a ride for a fee less than that of a traditional taxi or car service. Drivers are required to have background checks, inspections and $1 million in insurance.
The injunction follows almost a month after Uber began offering rides in Nevada, CNET reported. The company wrote in a blog post that despite the "confusion" about its business model, operations in the state will restart once legal matters are settled.
"Beginning tonight, nearly 1,000 jobs disappeared in Nevada and those residents lost their ability to earn a living," Uber wrote. "But, rest assured, Uber is in this for the long-term and we are committed to the people of the Silver State."
Rides with the service are currently available in over 200 cities in 45 countries, and the company says its offerings cover 55 percent of the U.S. population.
Uber fans can show their support by signing a petition for the company to resume operations in Nevada, which has so far received over 18,000 signatures, CNET reported. Uber also urged Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval in the blog post to show his support for the service.
"It is clear that Uber has met a real need of supporting access to more transportation options, bringing accessibility to previously undeserved communities," Uber wrote. "And, we have opened doors to thousands of people looking to supplement their income to find a way to support themselves and their family. We remain committed to the tens of thousands of Nevadans who already rely daily on Uber."
