Sidecar suspends service in Philly, ending feud with Parking Authority

Last we checked on Sidecar, the new ridesharing startup out of San Francisco was locked in battle with the Philadelphia Parking Authority. Its business model was under attack; its drivers were subject to PPA sting operations.

Since March, Sidecar and the PPA have been in détente mode — the service could continue to operate, as long as riders didn’t pay drivers directly. The PPA had no jurisdiction over what Sidecar called a “brand ambassador” program, where the company paid drivers directly and rides were given for free.

But as of this afternoon, Sidecar in Philadelphia is no more.

Citing the ongoing feud with the PPA, Sidecar announced it will suspend service in what was its first East Coast market.