Ride-hailing giant Uber will start operating in Eugene and Springfield next Thursday, the company said in a statement.

The development comes more than three years after the company launched in Eugene without the city's approval.

This time, Uber said it expects to have the appropriate license from Eugene officials to legally operate. That application is currently being reviewed by city officials. But on Thursday, the company issued a public statement which included comments in support of the application from the mayors of both Eugene and Springfield.

"We're thrilled we'll soon be turning on rideshare service in Eugene," Alejandro Chouza, general manager for Uber in the Pacific Northwest, said in a statement. "For anyone not yet familiar with the app, I think they'll find it reliable, convenient and easy to use. Essentially you tap a button on your phone to request a ride."

The development comes about a month before school returns to session at the University of Oregon and as the college football season is set to bring tens of thousands of people to Lane County's largest cities.

But users won't be able to call a ride from their smartphone over the Labor Day weekend or for the first football game of the season this weekend.

Uber said it will go live in Eugene on Thursday, Sept. 6, at 10 a.m. Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis will take the first official ride, according to a news release.

Eugene Police Department warned residents and visitors Thursday that the law enforcement agency would be stepping up patrols for drivers who are intoxicated when they get behind the wheel.

"I am excited that our community will be able to take advantage of rideshare services like those offered by Uber," Vinis said in a statement. "We have heard the call from many residents, especially students and the business community, for expanded rideshare services to help ensure convenient and safe travel at all hours across the metropolitan area. City staff are at the ready to begin processing driver signups. I'm glad the day has come!"

According to the Register-Guard, in 2015 the company never sought a legal license to operate because it disagreed with some of the city's requirements. This April, Eugene politicians revised city rules governing taxis and other vehicle-for-hire services to accommodate ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft.

It was not immediately clear if Lyft will also start operating in Eugene in the near future.

Uber said it will give riders $5 off the first two rides if they use the promo code "UberEugene."

-- Andrew Theen

atheen@oregonian.com

503-294-4026

@andrewtheen