Surrounded by media, Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse gets set to take the first ride in our area in an Uber car.
Got a car?
Then you might be able to go into business for yourself, as the Uber ride-sharing service launches later today in Harrisburg.
Company General Manager Jennifer Krusius joined Mayor Eric Papenfuse to announce the arrival of Uber, which uses a smartphone application to link drivers and riders. The service goes live at 5 p.m.
Papenfuse touted Uber’s “ease of use” for riders, as well as the opportunity for drivers to earn extra income. He then took the ceremonial first Uber ride.
The cost to use the service is a $2 base fare, then $1.75 per mile and 25 cents per minute. Anyone who signs up for Uber will receive two free rides valued at up to $25 each, said Krusius.
Harrisburg is at the center of this area’s Uber territory, which runs west-to-east in a peanut-shaped design that goes from the western Carlisle suburbs in Cumberland County to Palmyra in Lebanon County. Besides Harrisburg, the territory includes such places as Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Linglestown, Hummelstown and Hershey.
The state has approved a two-year license for Uber, which began in a few large American cities before extending service to smaller metropolitan areas and even foreign countries. Some people believe that Uber threatens the long-established taxi industry, which, unlike Uber, is heavily regulated by government.
To find out more about Uber, including how to use the app and become a driver, visit the company’s website.
Senior writer Paul Barker contributed to this story.
