Gov. Kay Ivey waves from the seat of an Uber/Lyft car, before riding to ceremonially sign HB190 at the state Capitol in Montgomery, Thursday, March 1, 2018. HB 190 was sponsored by Rep. David Faulkner, R-Birmingham and Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, and creates statewide regulations for transportation network companies, also known as ridesharing companies. (Photo source: Governor's Office, Jamie Martin)
MONTGOMERY – Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday — alongside Rep. David Faulkner, R-Birmingham, Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, Ride for Alabama coalition members and local rideshare drivers — signed Alabama’s rideshare legislation into law during a bill signing ceremony at the State Capitol.
Alabama is the 45th state in the nation to welcome comprehensive ridesharing, allowing companies like Lyft and Uber to operate statewide. The law officially takes effect July 1, 2018.
“Today, we are paving the way for ridesharing throughout all of Alabama, regardless of location or proximity to major metropolitan areas,” Ivey said. “I am proud to have supported this bill throughout the legislative process and commend the hard work of Representative Faulkner and Senator Singleton for sponsoring the bill and Ride for Alabama coalition members for their strong support throughout the legislative process.”
“When I first spoke at the Ride for Alabama coalition launch in January, I stated that one of my primary responsibilities in the Alabama House is to ensure that all Alabama residents have access to safe, reliable and efficient methods of transportation,” Faulkner said. “The legislation that I and Senator Singleton carried, and that Governor Ivey signed today, does just that.”
Previously, ridesharing companies were allowed to operate only in select, approved cities in Alabama. By enacting statewide legislation, suburban and rural communities will now have access to the many benefits the rideshare industry provides, including enhanced driver earning opportunities.
“Rural parts of our state will now have access to these innovative transportation methods, and more Alabama residents will have the opportunity to earn additional income,” said Singleton. “With Governor Ivey giving her signature to this legislation, Alabama’s economy will move forward, public safety will increase, and Alabama residents will experience greater quality of life.”
“We want to thank the Governor for her support of this law. Lyft is providing tens of thousands of Alabamians earning opportunities and transportation options that did not exist a few short years ago,” said Scott Coriell, communications manager for Lyft. “We’re excited to expand those benefits to more individuals and families around the state in the coming months.”
“With this statewide framework for ridesharing, more Alabamians will benefit from access to safe rides and flexible work opportunities through Uber – and current customers will benefit from an even more reliable experience,” said Uber General Manager, Kasra Moshkani. “We thank Governor Ivey, Representative Faulkner, and Senator Singleton for their leadership and look forward to expanding throughout Alabama.”
Throughout the legislative process, the bill was supported publicly by the Ride for Alabama coalition, comprised of multiple Chambers of Commerce and third-party entities, such as the Alabama Hospitality and Restaurant Association, Birmingham Urban League, Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives, the Alabama Black Chamber of Commerce, and the Alabama Association for the Deaf, among others.
