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On Thursday, rideshare transit app Uber launched in 24 new markets, including Tuscaloosa and Auburn. (c/o uber.com)

(Uber)

In an email sent to potential drivers, Uber said the University of Alabama campus and surrounding areas would be the main focus for the rideshare company.

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- The app-based transit service Uber is now in Alabama thanks to launches in Tuscaloosa and Auburn.

According to Uber's website, Thursday's expansion to 22 new areas considered college towns is part of a new UberCollege campaign.

The expansion is particularly timely considering the upcoming football season -- many of the new cities are home to powerhouse football programs, just like Tuscaloosa and Auburn.

Several SEC hometowns are represented, including Oxford, Knoxville and Athens. Uber says the first five rides are free this weekend (up to $25) for users in the new college towns.

After a day of looking at codes and regulations, a city spokeswoman said Thursday afternoon that Uber's operation wasn't in violation of anything on the books, so the city won't take action to stop them unless the city attorney discovers a relevant rule that is being broken.

Deidre Stalnaker, the city of Tuscaloosa's public relations coordinator, said Uber reached out this week to let officials know that they planned to work the area but didn't specify when they'd begin offering rides. She said now that the service is available, city officials will be keeping an eye on Uber, looking for a positive contribution to the community and an emphasis on public safety.

Uber is a booming alternative to traditional transit services, utilizing a convenient mobile app that makes it easy to reserve a car and track its location.

Users also enter payment information (via credit card or Paypal) to their app, so fares are automatically charged.

This is likely an attractive feature for college students, who may not carry cash or need an unexpected ride home after a night out.

Uber attempted to launch in Birmingham earlier this year but plans were shuttered by the city's transportation rules.

Most of Uber's objections in Birmingham revolved around provisions already in place, including those requiring all transportation companies to obtain a business license, a public need certificate, undergo city vehicle inspections and agree to driver background checks.

And while the city added language to include mobile apps, Uber wanted a separate classification for ride sharing services, with different requirements than the traditional services. Uber maintains that its model is so new that it cannot logically fit into rules designed for older, traditional transit services.

Uber currently operates in more than 100 U.S. cities and in 45 other countries.

Updated Thursday, August 28 at 6:30 p.m. to reflect Tuscaloosa officials' comments.