Metro

Lyft NYC launch delayed after ride-sharing app hits road block

A Manhattan judge slammed the brakes on the launch of the controversial ride-sharing app Lyft Friday — just four hours before the vehicles were scheduled to hit the streets.

Justice Kathryn Freed told Lyft to keep its cars off city roads until she issues a ruling on lawsuit by city and state officials, who sued to block the company’s operation in the state because of its “open defiance” of government regulations.

Freed said she would hear more legal arguments on the matter Monday afternoon.

Attorneys for the city, state and Lyft failed to come to an agreement after day-long negotiations in Manhattan Supreme Court, but said they would keep the status quo until they returned to court.

A Lyft spokeswoman said the company would hold off on launching, and would meet with the TLC on Monday.

“We will not proceed with this model unless it complies with New York City Taxi and Limousine regulations,” said spokeswoman Erin Simpson.

The TLC commissioner Meera Joshi said she was gratified by their decision. “As other companies we have worked with have done int he past, they too will benefit tremendously from working within the law, as will their customers.”

The San Francisco-based company will still have a party in Bushwick on Friday on Johnson Avenue with free drinks, the rapper Q-Tip, and electric-disco music by Golden Pony.

Since Lyft drivers are not licensed by the Taxi and Limousine Commission, they risk having their cars seized– and steep fines for working as an illegal hack.

State attorney general Eric Schneiderman filed papers in State Supreme Court Friday morning seeking a temporary restraining order against Lyft.

“Despite being warned and told to cease and desist by three separate regulatory and enforcement agencies, defendant has thumbed its nose at the law and continued with its plan to launch in what could become its largest market,” the court papers say.

Lyft was also been slapped with a cease and desist letter from the New York State Department of Financial Services, who says the company acted in bad faith by concealing its plans to launch in New York City from the Department.

The company had been misleading its drivers by saying they have been cleared to operate in New York City.

“I can assure you Lyft has been given the green light to conduct business legally,” it claimed in an e-mail obtained by the Post. “Our Trust and Safety team does a excellent job of addressing any issue that may arise.”

Simultaneously, the company has told drivers it will cover any fines they get while driving for Lyft.

The taxi industry had been infuriated that Lyft tried to move ahead despite New York City’s laws.

“This is electronic hitchhiking,” said Tweeps Phillips, of the Committee for Taxi Safety.