Officials in Washington, D.C. are cracking down on Empower, a rideshare app that hasn’t registered with the District, despite offering over 200,000 rides per month, according to NBC Washington.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and Attorney General Brian Schwalb, under pressure from Uber and its lobbyists, are pushing to shut down Empower, according to a notice displayed in the app.
The company received a cease-and-desist order from D.C.’s Department of For-Hire Vehicles (DFHV), citing safety concerns regarding its unregistered status.
Because the company has not registered with the District, riders have no way of knowing whether their drivers are insured or have undergone background checks.
Without registration, Empower does not contribute to local transportation funds, unlike Uber and Lyft, which must pay fees to the District, according to NBC Washington.
The situation has escalated, with commuters being warned by the District to be cautious before using Empower. Also, vehicles found operating for Empower are subject to immediate impoundment by D.C. inspectors, according to NBC Washington.
However, Empower has appealed the cease-and-desist order, arguing that it is not a transportation company but a software platform that drivers can subscribe to.
Empower’s CEO Joshua Sear, compared the company to platforms such as Expedia and OpenTable, which do not require local registration.
Sear claimed that Empower drivers agree to provide background checks and that they are “potentially safer” because they are building their own businesses in competition with larger companies like Uber and Lyft, according to NBC Washington.
While safety is a concern for some, many commuters continue to rely on Empower for its cost-efficient services, as it is 20 percent cheaper than Uber or Lyft, according to its website.
Haylee Gibson, a sophomore criminology and political science major from Philadelphia said, “As a college student, I like using Empower because it’s affordable. However, I believe it needs more safety measures and a better way to report issues. I’d be upset if Empower were to shut down, as it’s a service that helps me save money.”
Ongoing issues with customer service and safety have led many to question Empower’s legitimacy and reliability as a rideshare service.
Safeer Gaines, a junior legal communications major from Philadelphia shared his experience with the platform.
“I’ve gotten picked up in a different car and license plate several times, and every time I report it to Empower, they blame me. I don’t think it should be shut down because it is cost-efficient, but I think more safety practices need to be put in place, as well as a phone number to contact support,” he said.
Some users of the app have expressed concerns about Empower’s lack of accountability. Passengers have lost personal items during rides, and there is no contact number for assistance or a way to reach past drivers.
John Kendrick, a junior political science and criminology double major from Indianapolis, Indiana, experienced this lack of accountability first hand after losing his personal items during an Empower ride.
“There was no way to contact the driver or get any help,’ Kendrick said. “I checked the app, looked for a support number–nothing. It was frustrating because if this had been Uber or Lyft, I could’ve at least had a chance to get my belongings back.”
As the dispute continues, D.C. residents are left with an uncertain future regarding Empower’s operations, and the government’s focus remains on whether the company will comply with local regulations.
Bowser’s and Schwalb’s effort to shut down Empower has brought attention to corporate influence, as Uber has a stake in seeing the app removed, according to a post from Empower on “X.”
According to a notice displayed in the Empower app, if the company does not cease operations by March 5, Sear could face legal consequences, including jail time.
Copy edited by Aniyah Genama
