Lyft, Uber revving engines to start Salem rides this week Transportation network companies expect to start Wednesday

Jonathan Bach | Statesman Journal

Jennifer Ewing hopes to be her own boss.

So last Thursday, the Monmouth resident traveled to the Salem Public Library, hearing the ins-and-outs of what to expect as a driver for Uber.

Uber and similarly-operating Lyft are revving their engines to get into Salem after city councilors in May approved Ordinance Bill 3-17 making way for them.

Uber put on a presentation at the library for Ewing and other potential drivers as it readied itself to start operations in Salem this week.

The San Francisco-based transportation network company lets users call up a ride on their smartphones. The company relies on drivers who choose their own hours to pick up riders and get them around, whether it's to the airport or the local theater.

A 30-day period between when the bill passed and its date of effect expires June 7 – this Wednesday. The changes to city code give those companies the green light to apply to work here.

Salem City Hall has talked with Uber and Lyft, which should be putting in their applications on Wednesday, city spokesman Kenny Larson said.

As far as the city approving those applications, though: "The turnaround time should be very quick," Larson said.

Uber and Lyft emblems have already made an appearance on the streets of the capital city, though Salem commuters can expect to start seeing more and more of them installed in car windows. The emblems signal who works for the companies and help riders find their drivers.

"We are excited to bring safe and reliable rideshare options to Salem residents,” said Lyft spokeswoman Darcy Nenni.

The Uber library presentation last Thursday came as the company predicted more than 25,000 riders will have signed up in Salem, with drivers who are at one point or another in the onboarding process expected to stretch into the thousands.

Uber spokesman Nathan Hambley expects driver supply “to meet rider demand from day one.”

“We’re confident we’ll be able to launch service in Salem on Wednesday,” Hambley said.

"My own hours"

Ewing, 45, has a long history of gigs involving driving, having worked for TripLink and as a school bus driver.

“I’m just to that age now where it’s time for me to do my own thing – my own hours,” she said as she stood next to her best friend, Lexy Watts, 25, also of Monmouth.

Ewing, who dubbed herself a “drive-aholic,” has been waiting for two years for Uber.

She had at one point worked for Lyft, driving up to Portland, where the company operates already.

She took Watts with her to the City of Roses. “And she made me pack two toddlers with me,” Watts said.

Asked how many times she had to go up there, Ewing said: “Just once – that’s all it took.” She changed gears and stopped working for Lyft.

Ewing is setting a goal for her first month with Uber: make $4,000.

Sandra and Michael David are a husband and wife from Lyons, about a half an hour west of Salem. As a big "network-marketing" fan, Sandra wants to drive for Uber.

Like Ewing, Sandra David is an avid driver. "I love serving people, I love connecting with people and that's part of the whole network-marketing thing," she said.

This won't be the Davids' primary income — they own a small organic dairy farm, plus Sandra is a seamstress and Michael is a contractor. Sandra David also works for ACN.

Or as Sandra David put it: "We do a lot of things."

How to drive for Uber, Lyft

Interested drivers for either company must prepare to grapple with regulations.

Uber drivers must be 21 years of age or older; have been driving in the United States for at least a year — or three years for those who are younger than 23; hold a current U.S. driver's license; and drive a four-door vehicle, according to Uber's website.

They also have to show proof of insurance, registration and the driver's license. Drivers will undergo a background check.

Lyft has similar requirements, including that drivers must be at least 21 years old.

How to catch a ride

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce welcomes the transportation network companies to the city.

“The Chamber is excited for both ride share companies to operate in Salem to help residents get around safely and easily and experience all the city has to offer," said Kate Virden, a spokeswoman for the chamber.

Those wanting to catch a ride will need to download the Lyft or Uber applications (or both) onto their smartphones.

The apps allow a user to request a ride. They'll see the driver's license plate number — along with the make and model of the driver's car — on-screen for identification out on the streets.

Both apps store payment information such as credit cards for transactions.

Send questions, comments or news tips to jbach@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6714. Follow him on Twitter @JonathanMBach.