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Lyft Gets Pa. Regulatory Nod...Except In Philly

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Ride-sharing service Lyft has received regulatory approval to offer service for two years everywhere in Pennsylvania, except for Philadelphia.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on Thursday voted 4-1 to approve the company's application, with conditions to which it must agree.

Lyft and a competitor, Uber, initially won utility commission approval to operate in the Pittsburgh area after a battle with the agency and taxi operators. Uber also won approval last month to operate for two years in Pennsylvania.

Uber, Lyft and other ride-share companies use smartphone apps to dispatch drivers who use their own personal vehicles.

The Philadelphia Parking Authority regulates taxis in that city and considers ride-share companies unlicensed cabbies because they do not have taxi medallions, which can run as much as a half-million dollars.

(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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