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

(Uber)

Huntsville residents may soon have a new way to get a ride.

The Huntsville City Council passed an updated vehicle-for-hire ordinance at the Thursday City Council meeting which makes it easier for ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft to do business in the Rocket City.

Mayor Tommy Battle proposed the updated ordinance at the June 11 City Council meeting. The ordinance creates a special class of "transportation network companies."

Read the new ordinance here.

"There are several companies, Uber, Lyft, Sidecar, four or five others that are included in that category," said Tommy Brown, director of the Parking and Public Transit Department. "This is not done in response to any particular company. We wanted to make an ordinance that would welcome any of those companies that would operate in Huntsville."

The ordinance requires the ride-hailing companies to buy an annual $5,000 license instead of an individual license for each car as traditional taxi company would.

In Paris, France, taxicab owners have blocked roads in protest of Uber, but in Huntsville, city leaders worked with input from taxi companies and national ride-hailing companies to draft the ordinance, according to John Hamilton, city administrator.

"This ordinance tonight, not only did some changes within the TNC (transportation network companies) piece, but it also made some changes with somethings that governed the taxis and limousines to make that more streamlined."

Other changes in the ordinance allow the ride-hailing companies to perform their own background checks as long as they give the police a copy, and it updates insurance requirements to fit the way a ride-hailing company's insurance works, with the higher amount of coverage only applying while the driver has an active fair.

Kaitlin Durkosh, an Uber spokesperson, said in an email to AL.com the direction the city is moving is encouraging.

"We look forward to providing feedback on the proposed regulations and working collaboratively with city officials to find a home for ridesharing in Huntsville," Durkosh said in the email.

Mary Caroline Pruitt, a representative for Lyft, said Lyft appreciates the mayor's leadership, and the regulations are a positive step forward.

"Although Huntsville would be a great fit for Lyft, we do not have any plans to operate in the area at this time," Pruitt said.

Under the ordinance, ride-hailing companies are prohibited from telling a driver when a police officer is using the app, according to Brown.

"A taxicab is a certain color, has a meter, has a name on it, permit number, easily distinguishable," Brown said. "TNC vehicles will be personal cars, so one of the methods of enforcement will be for a police officer to call that car."

Battle tweeted during the meeting that Huntsville was ready for Lyft and Uber, and Brown echoed his sentiments.

"We've said here that Huntsville is open for business for TNC's," Brown said.