Press Release

PUC Grants Temporary Waiver for Pocono Cab to Pick-up and Deliver Customers’ Grocery and Pharmacy Items During Stay-At-Home Order

Published on 4/16/2020

Filed under: Motor Carrier Transportation and Safety

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved a temporary request submitted by the Pocono Cab Company (Pocono Cab) allowing for the pick-up and delivery of customers’ pre-ordered grocery and pharmacy items during the Governor’s current stay-at-home order.

Pocono Cab is authorized to provide call or demand taxi service in Monroe, Pike, Carbon, and Northampton counties – but the company does not currently have PUC authority for “expressage” service to transport and deliver packages that are not accompanied by a passenger.

The Commission voted 5-0 to grant a temporary waiver to Pocono Cab, allowing for limited expressage service, based on an increase in public demand and the importance of limiting travel and promoting social distancing.

Specifically, the Commission’s order allows the company’s taxis to pick-up and deliver customers’ pre-ordered items from grocery stores and pharmacies, according to their existing rates, for the duration of the stay-at-home order issued by the Governor.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

Visit the PUC’s website at www.puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

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Docket No.: P-2020-3019420

Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov