JACKSON, MS (AP) — The ride-hailing company Uber has launched service in Jackson.
Uber Technologies Inc. provides a smartphone app that allows people to order rides in privately driven cars instead of taxis. Uber drivers use their personal cars and often do it for extra cash to supplement their income at other jobs.
The company said it does background checks on all its drivers, but so far, there are no regulations in place for this type of riding system in Jackson.
"We are in conversations with the mayor and (city) council president and are eager to draft a new regulatory framework that makes sense for this new option that is ride sharing," said Kaitlin Durkosh of Uber.
The announcement came Thursday in Jackson as the service began.
The company has caused some controversy in other states. Taxi companies have argued the newer car services have an unfair advantage because they don't have to follow the same rules and regulations and can afford cheaper prices.
"We are doing the best we can as a city to safeguard citizens as always," said Council President De'Keither Stamps. "Now the council is moving toward seeing what steps need to be taken for the actual regulations of this type of service."
