Uber Faces Operational Setback in New Mexico

New Mexico regulators have denied a temporary operating permit for ridesharing company Uber.

The Albuquerque Journal reported that the Public Regulation Commission voted 3-2 on Wednesday to withhold the permit from Uber Technologies.

Commissioners say they could not grant the permit because of requested waivers for required filings such as driver safety records and insurance information.

Uber filed for a permanent certificate to operate in May.

The state commission recently attempted to shut down ride-sharing company Lyft Inc. but abandoned the initiative earlier this month. Lyft has argued it doesn’t need a permit of any kind because it is not a taxi service.

Commissioners say they will begin planning new regulations addressing safety concerns and other issues surrounding ride-sharing companies.

Earlier this month, Colorado became the first state whose legislature passed a law regulating companies such as UberX, which is part of Uber Technologies, and Lyft. In April, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed legislation that would have exempted Uber and other ride-sharing companies from insurance regulations imposed on traditional taxi and livery companies.