It’s been a decade since Uber finally won the right to legally offer rideshares in heavily regulated Washington D.C., but bureaucrats there are still smarting from having failed to stop it.

So in 2020, when a new ride-hailing service called Empower entered the D.C. market, it faced an even more hostile reception. Drivers loved that it “empowered” drivers to work for themselves, set their own fares, and collect 100% percent of the proceeds–only paying Empower a flat monthly rate to use its software. Users benefit from fares that are on average 20% less than Uber or Lyft. It gets rave reviews.

Empower insists it’s not actually a ride-hailing service like Uber or Lyft, but rather a technology provider that allows independent drivers to connect with customers, much as people use Expedia or OpenTable to make reservations.

The bureaucrats disagree and insist Empower bend the knee and accept strict regulations on insurance and other issues. This month, a local judge finally told owner Joshua Sear he would jail him for contempt of court if he failed to shut down in D.C.

Sear has agreed to shut down – sort of. He will break all of his contracts and offer Empower’s software to drivers for free so they can keep driving. A judge will decide soon if that will fly.

The sad irony of this story is that the restrictions on Empower’s low cost model will only make the lowest income DC residents pay more for transportation.

Thankfully, Empower remains open for business in New York City, Baltimore, and Winston-Salem, N.C. as it negotiates with local officials. Hopefully, it will be coming soon to a city near you.