Beaumont council updates ordinance, paves way for Uber service

UBER 101 Beaumont City Council approved measures to allow for ride-hailing companies to operate in town, so now all we have to do is wait for Uber's service to officially become available. In the meantime, here's a quick step-by-step guide to using the ride-hailing service. less UBER 101 Beaumont City Council approved measures to allow for ride-hailing companies to operate in town, so now all we have to do is wait for Uber's service to officially become available. In the meantime, ... more Photo: Reuters | Kai Pfaffenbach Photo: Reuters | Kai Pfaffenbach Image 1 of / 35 Caption Close Beaumont council updates ordinance, paves way for Uber service 1 / 35 Back to Gallery

After changes to local ordinance and months of negotiations, the ride-hailing service Uber is ready to roll into Beaumont, though no date has been announced.

City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve changes to city ordinance that will allow services like Uber and Lyft to operate in Beaumont.

Councilman Mike Getz said he believed the service would begin by the end of the month.

"We applaud the city of Beaumont for joining a growing number of cities that are embracing this innovative new technology with modern, forward-thinking policies," said Debbee Hancock, communications specialist for Uber Texas.

Services like Uber, known as transportation network companies, allow people to use smartphone applications to book and pay for a private car service. Rides can be less expensive than a taxi and can be a source of additional income for drivers.

"Every day, millions of people around the globe open the app to catch a ride or make money at the tap of a button, and we are excited to extend these benefits to the residents and visitors of Beaumont in the near future," Hancock said in an emailed statement.

In November,Southeast Texas residents spotted an Uber mapping truck in the area, but the company would not verify whether the service was coming to Beaumont. In the meantime, city leaders learned that under the current ordinance, transportation network companies could not legally operate because drivers weren't licensed as taxi drivers and used their own vehicles.

The city council in December made the decision to update the regulations, approving the final ordinance on Tuesday..

The ordinance addresses a new state law that went into effect on Jan. 1 that requires Uber and Lyft drivers in Texas to have increased insurance coverage, said City Attorney Tyrone Cooper.

Read the complete story in the Beaumont Enterprise.

Marilyn.Tennissen@BeaumontEnterprise.com