Pennsylvania- The State of Greedy Bureaucracies
Apparently, you need a special certification to transport passengers in the state of Pennsylvania. Apparently, the Pennsylvania public utilities commission has been sending out cease and desist letters to citizens who help the Amish by driving them places that they need to go such as grocery shopping or to the doctor - whether or not you are profiting from the trips or not!
Those who are familiar with the Amish know that due to tradition, the Amish do not drive. If they need to get somewhere not easily accessible by horse(or horse and buggy), they must have someone from outside their community with a vehicle take them where they need to go.
Apparently, the state has found a new revenue stream, even though the law itself is not new. The letters have been being sent mainly to those who are transporting the Amish. The reason for this is that with their traditional dress, it is a lot easier for the state to spot the Amish in a vehicle.
According to The Indiana Gazette , there have been hundreds of warning letters sent out since 2004. Also according to The Indiana Gazette , reporting on information obtained from Denise DiNunzio, PUC acting press secretary,
Under PUC regulations, in Pennsylvania, it is “illegal to transport any passenger for compensation without holding a PUC Certificate of Public Convenience,” DiNunzio said.
The certificate is required for vehicles in two categories: Metered taxis and paratransit carriers. Paratransit carriers include passenger cars up to 15-passenger vans, and vehicles in this category are commonly used to transport “people whose personal convictions prevent them from owning or operating a vehicle,” DiNunzio said.
These certificates allow the PUC to monitor adherence to rules, rates, territory, insurance and safety standards and have been in place for a long time, DiNunzio said.
“The law that states anyone who transports others for compensation must be certified isn’t new,” she said. “This is something that has been in the PUC Public Utility Code for several decades.”
Just like everything, they claim its about safety, but with all of the letters mailed out and the certificates costing $350 per year, I know better. I mean to a point, it may be about safety, but to me it is just the state with its hand out like usual. What would they say if I take a few bucks to take my non-driving neighbor to the store? Am I required to hold the certificate to do this? I think they need to butt out!
