MIAMI – Fake Uber and Lyft drivers had been busted ultimate weekend at Miami International Airport soliciting rides.
It’s illegal, unregulated and perilous.
Miami-Dade County Commissioners lately amended their ordinance to make the consequences for the ones stuck extra serious.
The undercover sting operation started Saturday morning, sooner than the solar had even arise.
“We have four vehicles already and we started this at 6 o’clock in the morning,” stated Ivan J. Cotayo, Passenger Transportation Coordinator for Miami-Dade County. “These are individuals who come to MIA, lower their windows and solicit…without the insurance, without the permits required in Miami-Dade County.”
It used to be a joint operation between Miami-Dade’s Passenger Transportation Regulatory Division and the Miami-Dade Police Department.
“They come here in the morning, they come in the afternoon, they come at night,” stated Cotayo.
When requested if the illegal drivers know they shouldn’t be there, he spoke back, “Of course. Yes. You can see it in their faces.”
One driving force who had already been busted as soon as, issued a trespass caution and ordered no longer to go back to the airport until he used to be touring, used to be stuck a 2nd time and positioned in handcuffs.
“These people, we don’t know their background, we don’t know if they are felons, we don’t know if they have a driver’s license, we don’t even know if they have insurance on this vehicle,” stated Cotayo. “And now they are coming to MIA to solicit and pick up people outside the platform. I don’t want our residents and tourists to be harmed by people who we don’t even know who they are.”
The driving force of a blue Hyundai Elentra had faux Uber and Lyft indicators of their windshield.
“They buy it online,” stated Cotayo. “To get the attention of the consumer and make it more official.”
If you get into the auto with one of those drivers, the trip isn’t tracked as it will be in the event you used an app.
The driving force of the Elantra used to be requested by means of Local 10 News’ Jeff Weinsier why he didn’t do just issues the right kind method, however he refused to talk as opposed to to declare he’d performed not anything incorrect.
Getting busted can be extraordinarily pricey to the ones illegal drivers.
“Each of these drivers are getting two citations,” stated Cotayo. “Two civil violations of $1010.00 each, plus their vehicles are impounded. Since January 2023 we have done 28 undercover operations and a total of 102 vehicles have been impounded.”
In order to this legally, drivers will have to have a county license, cross a car inspection, go through coaching, cross a background test and supply evidence of insurance coverage.
Last month, Local 10 News reported on professional cab drivers at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport who had been irate over illegal curbside solicitations that they are saying had been taking cash out of their wallet.
Since working that tale, FLL stated it has performed six undercover operations, written 18 citations and trespass warnings, made 4 arrests together with the Broward Sheriff’s Office and added two extra officials to the airport’s floor enforcement.
As for the efforts in Miami, officers really feel they’re creating a distinction.
“We are getting a message out not to come to Miami-Dade County and work outside the platform, or try to solicit illegally,” stated Cotayo.
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