Uber to return to Auburn

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Uber

The City of Auburn has given Uber the green light to return to the city — just in time for football season.

Tuesday night the Auburn City Council approved an ordinance to amend the city’s vehicle-for-hire rules for ridesharing services Uber and Lyft.

“Tonight, the city council created a permanent home for Uber in Auburn, and we look forward to bringing safe, affordable transportation options and flexible work opportunities to the community,” said Uber spokeswoman Evangeline George after Tuesday night’s decision. “Access to a reliable ride at the push of a button will help empower students, residents and visitors alike to make safe choices at the end of a night out.”

Officials say the ordinance adds a section to the vehicles-for-hire code, which sets separate regulations for companies that use an internet application to connect passengers and drivers, stating that background checks are required, but may be performed by the company itself.

Opelika-Auburn News reports that city documents reveal “Uber has reviewed this ordinance and our contact has expressed that they are agreeable to this language.”

Uber previously operated in Auburn from August 2014 to January 2015, but was forced to leave after the city council passed an ordinance requiring ridesharing companies to have the same level of insurance coverage as taxi companies, as well as to display a city-issued driver’s business license.

Uber could return to the Auburn streets as early as next month.

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