After months of negotiations and more than a year and a half of absence, the ride-hailing service Uber will return to the streets of Auburn as early as Thursday.
According to David Dorton, the city's director of public affairs, Uber will launch Thursday, Aug. 18.
Uber's swift return follows an ordinance amendment passed by the City Council two weeks ago, Aug. 2. The ordinance dubbed Uber a transportation networking company and regulates the company much like a traditional taxi service.
Auburn's ordinance closely resembles one passed in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, early last month with near identical language. According to Dorton, city staff worked closely with counterparts in Tuscaloosa and officials within the Uber corporation to develop language agreeable to both the city and the company.
Uber will be required to display proper signage, obtain commercial liability insurance, pay a permit fee with the city and perform background checks on their drivers. The background checks can be audited by the city up to twice a year.
However, Jeff Steiger of KGM Taxi Services and other officials within Auburn's taxi industry, have spoken candidly about the effects it could have on their business.
"If you take away 50 percent of our business, how do we pay the bills," Steiger said. "How do we cover the costs of our insurance? We'll be unable to pay our bills and taxis will go away."
Council members Tommy Dawson and Lynda Tremaine voted against the ordinance. Dawson said he was afraid Uber drivers could be dangerous for Auburn's "young ladies."
The city council "created a permanent home for Uber in Auburn," Uber Spokeswoman Evangeline George said in a statement.
"We look forward to bringing safe, affordable transportation options and flexible work opportunities to the community," George said. "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."
Uber's return comes only a few weeks ahead of a high-profile home football game between Auburn and Clemson University that will attract tens of thousands of people to the Loveliest Village.
Correction: The Auburn Plainsman previously reported "Uber drivers will also be required to obtain business drivers licenses with the city. City staff will keep filed information on all Uber drivers in the city." That information was misleading and was removed. Uber drivers will not be photographed and given a business drivers license by the city.
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