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Uber uses a mobile smartphone app that connects people needing transportation with Uber drivers. The drivers use their own cars to transport users to their destination, and fares are based on a combination of time, distance and rider demand for drivers.

The State Fair’s Uber Lounge will be near Domingo Road and California Street NE – the same spot where Park & Ride customers used to arrive and depart the fair.

The “lounge” will be under a large shaded area with seating where Uber riders can relax while waiting for their ride. Mourning said refreshments will be available at the lounge.

“We’re going to create this really nice area” for Uber drop-offs and pickups, Mourning said. “It will be quick into the fair. You’re not going to be circling around in all that (traffic), you’ll be able to get a fast track in. We’ll have a special gate directly into the midway, and they can get their admission ticket right there and avoid any lines.”

In addition, first-time Uber users can get a discount on their fare.

Uber also offers Uber XL for larger groups of people.

“If you have a family and you need something like a Suburban or a van or something like that, you can order that when booking your ride,” Mourning said. “That’s outstanding because there’s not a more family-friendly event than the State Fair.”

When ride-sharing companies Lyft and Uber first appeared in Albuquerque in April 2014, opponents – primarily conventional taxi services – began raising questions about unfair competition, safety and liability.

Regulatory authorities nationwide have been struggling with how to impose rules and fees governing what is, in essence, a new model of public transportation made possible by smartphone technology.

After the New Mexico Legislature initially failed to act on the issue, the state Public Regulation Commission created new rules that treat “transportation network companies” like Uber and Lyft separately from cab companies. In the meantime, Lyft stopped operating here, saying some of the proposed new rules were “onerous.”

Uber continued operating, and this year legislators passed regulations signed by Gov. Susana Martinez. The regulations, which took effect July 20, require ride-booking services to obtain state permits and sufficient insurance, and to perform background checks on drivers, including checking criminal and sexual offender databases.

“Uber has made it clear to us every step of the way that they’re doing their due diligence to make sure they’re getting the accreditations that they need,” said Expo spokeswoman Erin Thompson. “They’ve been very open and have kept us informed of where they are in that process.”

Lyft, which stopped operating here in May 2015, recently applied for a PRC permit to resume business in the state, according to Avelino Guiterrez, interim director of the PRC’s transportation department.

Mourning said Expo has not been approached by Lyft about offering similar services to state fairgoers.

He said Expo used a similar setup when it hosted the Southwest Coffee & Chocolate Fest last March. Future events at Expo are likely to include similar arrangements with ride-sharing companies.

Uber discounts for State Fair

First-time Uber riders can use the pass code “nmstatefair” while booking their ride to the New Mexico State Fair, set for Sept. 8-18, and receive a $15 discount on their initial trip to the State Fair.

The State Fair will receive $5 from the fare of those who receive the $15 discount as a first-time Uber user. Uber is covering the $15 discount.

Fair officials will have a special “Uber Lounge” for people using the ride-sharing service.