SAGINAW, MI -- The ride-sharing company Uber announced it will begin offering services in Saginaw, Midland and Bay City on Thursday, March 2.

Uber is a technology company that connects riders and drivers through a smartphone application.

According to a press release, riders can push a button on their phone and get a ride within minutes.

Last week, the ride-sharing company Lyft announced the addition of 54 cities nationwide, including Flint, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Midland and Saginaw.

Both Lyft and Uber have mobile applications that require users to add a payment method ahead of requesting a ride. When a user needs a ride, they can request one and get connected with a nearby driver.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder in December signed into law a package of bills that brought companies such as Uber and Lyft into the same statewide regulatory scheme as taxis.

"We applaud the work of the Michigan legislature to regulate ridesharing across the state," said Uber Spokeswoman Charity Jackson. "Because of this, we're excited to announce our expansion to the Tri-Cities which will allow us to provide more economic opportunities for driver partners in the Tri-Cities and greater access to safe and reliable transportation options for all Michiganders."

According to Jackson, Uber partners with pre-screened local drivers who use their personal vehicles to give neighbors a ride on their own schedule, opening up flexible earning opportunities for residents in Saginaw, Midland and Bay City.

Over the next few weeks, Uber will be onboarding local residents interested in flexible earning opportunities driving with Uber, according to Jackson.

For more information and to sign up as a driver, see https://www.uber.com/drive/.

How Uber works

Jackson outlined how residents can request and pay for a ride using the Uber app.

Setting up an account:

First, download the free Uber app for iOS, Android or Windows Phone.

Then,

When you're ready to go, open the app and enter your destination in the "Where To" bar. You can do so by:

Searching for the name of a place

Entering an address, or;

Setting a pin

New riders in the area can insert "RIDETRICITIES" into the Uber app to get $15 off their first ride beginning at 12 p.m. on March 2 through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, March 5.

Once you've determined the ride details, tap 'Request.' When your driver is on the way, you'll see:

Your driver's picture and name

Picture of the vehicle, and make and model

Car's license plate number

You can also watch the driver travel to your location on the app's map. If you need to get in touch, you can call or text your driver through the Uber app.

When you arrive at your destination, the cost of your trip will be charged automatically to the payment method on file.