Birmingham, Ala. — After months of stalling, Birmingham City Council members met with ridesharing company Uber officials in an effort to finally bring the service to the Magic City.
The app-based transportation company made a pitch to the city council on Wednesday with several councilors vocally supportive of the business coming to Birmingham.
“We definitely want Uber here, but there are still a few hurdles that need to be crossed,” said Council President Johnathan Austin.
Those barriers to entry include modifying the current city ordinances to permit transportation network companies to operate in Birmingham. The city is currently reviewing similar ordinances in other municipalities to assess how to secure the safety of drivers and passengers while still having appropriate city ordinances.
Trevor Theunissen, Uber’s public policy director for the Southeast United States, explained Uber’s safety protocol and hiring policies at the meeting, outlining how Uber requires background checks, criminal record checks and driving records on all potential drivers. The company also has extensive insurance policies, with additional liability coverage.
Theunissen also stated how Uber could benefit Birmingham by providing transportation alternatives, reducing DUI arrests and providing jobs for residents.
“We’re in Birmingham today because we want to be in Birmingham. It’s the largest city, the largest market on the East Coast that Uber is currently not operating in,” Theunissen said. “We look forward to being a part of the community and providing safe, accessible, affordable rides to your constituents.”
Proponents of Uber agree with Theunissen, stating that allowing the service to come to Birmingham will help create more small business owners, decrease traffic, and keep drunk drivers off the road.
As Birmingham’s resurgence has continued, bringing young professionals, music festivals, and businesses back into its city limits, there has been a heightened awareness of the dearth of easily accessible transportation options.
Birmingham is one of the last major cities in the country to embrace the service, which has found success in other Alabama municipalities.
“Based on today’s conversation, we’re optimistic that City Council is on a path towards bringing ridesharing to Birmingham,” Uber officials said in a statement after the meeting. “We thank Council President Austin for his leadership, and look forward to working with City Council on an ordinance that aligns with the nearly 50 US jurisdictions with pro-innovation, pro-consumer ridesharing regulations.”
Council President Johnathan Austin said that following Wednesday’s meeting, he hopes to have the issue resolved within a month. Mayor William Bell said he will have the ordinance expedited so it can go to a council vote as soon as possible.
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