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More Upstate NY Mayors Join Call To Let Uber Expand

WAMC photo by Dave Lucas

The mayors of four cities in upstate New York have joined an effort to allow Uber to expand outside of New York City.

Mayors in Ithaca, Utica, Rome and Hornell on Thursday endorsed a proposal before the state Legislature which would create regulations for the expansion. The app-based ride-hailing service is now limited to the New York City area and cannot operate in Syracuse, Albany, Rochester or other upstate communities. Buffalo is now the largest U.S. city without Uber.

A statement signed by the four mayors says Uber would create new jobs for upstate drivers while helping to reduce drunken driving.

The taxi industry is fighting the expansion, arguing that Uber isn't held to the same standards as cabs.

Lawmakers are expected to consider Uber's expansion request this spring.

© 2016 AP

Dave Lucas is WAMC’s Capital Region Bureau Chief. Born and raised in Albany, he’s been involved in nearly every aspect of local radio since 1981. Before joining WAMC, Dave was a reporter and anchor at WGY in Schenectady. Prior to that he hosted talk shows on WYJB and WROW, including the 1999 series of overnight radio broadcasts tracking the JonBenet Ramsey murder case with a cast of callers and characters from all over the world via the internet. In 2012, Dave received a Communicator Award of Distinction for his WAMC news story "Fail: The NYS Flood Panel," which explores whether the damage from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee could have been prevented or at least curbed. Dave began his radio career as a “morning personality” at WABY in Albany.
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