A New Hampshire woman known as "Uber Grandma" now faces up to $3,500 in fines and threat of arrest if she continues to drive for the ride-sharing service, which has been banned in Portsmouth.
Stephanie Franz, who will turn 64 this month, has become the unofficial heroine of the Uber cause, which has brought protesters to city council meetings and seen the arrest of another Uber driver.
"I was looking for something I could do myself, where I could be independent and choose my own hours and everything, and I came across Uber," Franz told FOX25.
Franz, who has two grandchildren and was a former bus driver for special needs children, began driving for Uber in June.
Soon after, city leaders banned the service through a citywide transportation ordinance, and have been fighting with Uber over requirements for operation, including more thorough background checks for drivers.
Franz said since June, she's been pulled over four times and cited for violating the ordinance.
Monday, she appeared in court on the charges and pleaded not guilty, where she learned she could face up to $3,500 in fines.
"I just wanna do my job, and it's my business as an Uber driver, and I should be able to do that," Franz said.
Franz joined other protestors at Monday's city council meeting, asking officials to consider amending the transportation ordinance.
"I'm tired of getting pulled over," Franz said.
Not all residents support Franz's crusade, however, with one man telling city leaders, "She is a scofflaw, she is not a folk hero."
Franz said even under threat of arrest, she will continue to drive for Uber as her court case moves forward.
"It's my right, it's my legal right, and that's what this country is based on," Franz told FOX25.
