New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he wants to see Uber expand into Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse and Albany and other upstate communities.
Uber is currently prohibited from operating outside of the New York City area. Buffalo is now the largest U.S. city without the app-based ride-hailing service.
Proposed regulations allowing Uber to move into upstate have failed in the Legislature.
The Democratic governor told reporters Thursday in Albany that the expansion would be good for upstate.
The taxi industry has opposed the expansion, which it says would allow Uber to operate without meeting the same requirements imposed on cab companies.
Lawmakers are expected to take up the proposal during the 2017 session, which will get underway next month.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.
