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Advertisement City Council approves app-based car service Uber to operate in New Orleans Share Shares Copy Link Copy

The New Orleans City Council has cleared the way for app-based car service, Uber, and other similar companies to begin operations in the city.Watch reportThis means that in days, the service will be up and running and available for people in New Orleans to use.The vote by the council was 4-3, approving the operation of the app-based car service.Councilmembers Susan Guidry, James Gray and Nadine Ramsey voted against the measure. Jared Brossett, Jason Williams, Stacy Head and LaToya Cantrell voted in favor of it.Guidry and Gray sought to defer the decision."We are rushing." Gray said.Guidry called the service "greedy" and said the company was a "bad corporate citizen.""We may be in for a world of hurt. It's not good for our citizens," she said.The car service is required to have a $15 minimum fare for rides in New Orleans. The minimum fare is the highest in the country. Other cities, such as Atlanta, have a $15 minimum requirement. New York City has an $8 minimum fare for Uber users.The approval comes after numerous delays as the City Council and other city leaders squabbled over particulars as it pertains to regulating app-based car service providers.Dozens of taxi cab drivers and others are opposed to the app-based business attended Thursday’s City Council meeting.Owner of Liberty Bell Cabs in New Orleans, Tony Makhoul, called Uber a "cyber terrorist organization."Transportation apps, such as Uber or Lyft, let customers request a car with a smartphone application. Using GPS, Uber sends its closest driver to the location. The fare is charged directly to a credit card once the ride is complete.Uber is currently being used in over 60 U.S. cities. The company is valued at about $18.2 billion.Related:Fight over app-based car service Uber takes center stage at City HallNew Orleans City Council takes steps to allow app-based car servicesI-Team: Talks between city, app-based luxury car service resumeI-Team: City leader threatens transportation company with arrest, fines if it brings business to NOLA