"The extension ended several months ago but the city failed to enact fair regulations, giving the private sedan services a big competitive edge."The companies are app-based, and customers use smartphones to "hail" drivers who use their own personal vehicles for pickup. They do not operate under the same city regulations that govern taxis.

The D.C. Taxi Drivers "Teamsters" union issued a press release Wednesday claiming that the rideshare companies "are operating illegally in the city and are stealing work from D.C. taxi drivers."

 Last year, the city gave the services an extension to operate until regulations were in place," the release went on to say.