City of Midland releases statement on Uber departure announcement.

Late Monday, Uber officials announced that they were leaving Midland despite several attempts by the Midland City Council to create a business-friendly environment that would also ensure the safety of Midlanders using their services.

The vote made by Council last December provided guidelines for Uber and similar “transportation network companies” that could come to Midland in the future, such as Lyft. Several pieces of the ordinance were taken from Uber’s current business practices; others were taken from ordinances from cities where Uber already operates successfully.

Uber asked for amendments to the City’s ordinance after first reading, including:

- The ability for rideshare drivers to pick up passengers from the airport;

- Creating a streamlined process for licensing drivers; and

- Eliminating the need for a secondary background check by the Midland Police Department.

The City of Midland met all of these requests. In lieu of an additional background check and in order to streamline the process for licensing drivers, Uber officials said they could provide a list of vehicle and drivers’ information electronically on a monthly basis to MPD in order for police to be able to cross-check in case of an accident or crime involving an Uber driver. Uber has since indicated to City officials that this provision, which Uber officials requested, is what is causing them to leave.

We believe that Midlanders deserve to feel safe when using rideshares, and having a database of drivers on file is a simple, basic way we can help prevent an oversight that could lead to a dangerous situation. We are not asking anything of Uber officials that another city where the company successfully operates does not already ask of them. What is good enough for Uber in cities like Dallas and Houston should be good enough for Uber in Midland. Uber has left several other cities over ordinances that are even stricter and returned over time; Uber provides a valuable service and our hope is that Uber will eventually see the benefit of operating in our business-friendly community.

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Today, Uber Transportation Services have announced they will no longer provide services to the residents of Midland County.

The company says it is because of the new vehicle-for-hire regulations passed by the Midland City Council.

Uber was welcomed to the Permian Basin in August of last year, and they say they hope that Midland County can reconsider their decisions so they may operate once again.

The full statement is down below:

"Since our launch in August of 2015, we have enjoyed providing the Midland community with access to safe and reliable transportation options. We've provided an alternative to drinking and driving, made getting to and from the airport smoother and easier, and broadened access to all areas of Midland. Unfortunately, as a result of new vehicle-for-hire regulations passed by the Midland City Council, it is with much disappointment that we must announce our intent to cease all operations in Midland effective today, February 1. These new regulations make it difficult for us to provide you the level of service that you have come to know and expect.

Cities across the U.S. have embraced Uber’s innovative model – including College Station, San Marcos, and Beaumont – in the past few months, but a very small handful of cities have decided to impose burdensome regulations on this new economic engine. We know from experience in other markets that these rules have a devastating impact on our ability to provide the experience that riders and drivers have come to love.

We hope the City Council will reconsider their decision so we can once again serve the Midland community.

Although we will be ending our operations in Midland, we will continue to operate in the neighboring city of Odessa. You will still be able to utilize our service in Odessa and be dropped off in Midland but requesting a ride in Midland, including at the airport, will not be possible.

Thank you for your continued support. It has been a pleasure servicing you in Midland."