April Burbank

Free Press Staff Writer

Uber, a company that connects riders with taxis and private cars, is thinking about coming to Burlington — and for one Airport Commission member, it can't happen soon enough.

This week the company launched its service and mobile app in 22 college towns, and Uber sees opportunity to roll out that expansion in Burlington with uberX, the least-expensive tier in its app that gives people rides in everyday cars rather than the company's iconic black sedans.

"We're continuing to gather interest," said Taylor Bennett, an Uber spokesman. The company has no immediate plans to break into the Burlington market, he said, but it is talking with potential drivers.

"It's certainly looking promising, so we're excited about the possibility," said fellow Uber spokeswoman Kaitlin Durkosh.

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Alan Newman, a member of the Burlington Airport Commission, is loyal to Uber when he travels in other cities.

Newman recently raised the idea of making Uber "the official taxi service at the airport," according to draft meeting minutes from Aug. 18. The group also talked about "being an Uber friendly airport," unlike some cities that have fought to regulate the service.

Not so fast, some city officials say.

"I have no way to fully evaluate that at this point," said Mayor Miro Weinberger. He sees opportunities with technologies such as Uber overall, though he said they may require city government to create new rules.

Burlington is preparing to release an attorney's report about aspects of Burlington's strained taxi industry. The next step, the mayor said, will be looking carefully at issues with companies like Uber and its rival Lyft.

Taxis in Burlington are regulated through the city-owned airport, though some officials are trying to move the time-consuming system of licensing, complaints and inspections to City Hall.

Gene Richards, the city's director of aviation, was not present at the Aug. 18 Airport Commission meeting, but said in an interview that he was hesitant about the idea of establishing a formal relationship with Uber.

"I believe in the free system," Richards said, "and I believe that we've worked really hard with taxi-car drivers in town, and I think we have a commitment to them."

But Newman, who suggested the city welcome Uber, said his experience with Burlington cabs has "not been exemplary."

"My thought was if we're not going to fight the coming change in the way we're doing business, and given that Benways has left a huge hole in our taxi world, why not take advantage of the situation and contact Uber?" Newman said.

Benways was a Burlington taxi company that closed in July.

It is only an idea at this point, Newman said. The Burlington Airport Commission, an advisory group, has no direct authority to forge a relationship with Uber.

"My goal was really to open up the topic for discussion," Newman said. "I believe that it will enter into the discussion with City Hall. Without City Hall being involved, it really doesn't matter."

Airport Commission Chairman Jeff Munger said the group plans to continue the discussion of taxi and transportation issues at its Sept. 22 meeting.

Contact April Burbank at 660-1863 or aburbank@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AprilBurbank