Ride-sharing arrives in Capital Region
Services in area set to launch today
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » Ridesharing is set to arrive in Upstate New York on Thursday, June 29.
“We are tremendously excited to launch in Saratoga Springs and across the area” said Lyft in a statement. “We have seen strong demand and interest in becoming a driver with Lyft and have thousands of drivers signed up across upstate.”
Vic Christopher, a business owner in Troy, thinks Uber and Lyft have come at the perfect time.
“I think it’s going to help Troy more so than anywhere else in Upstate New York. As matter of timing and a matter of what’s happening here and reputation,” said Christopher. “The timing couldn’t be better for Troy, New York, and it’s going to help all cool cities all throughout Upstate New York It’s very exciting times.”
On weekends in Saratoga Springs, especially in the summer months, taxis flock near Caroline Street and Saratoga Race Course.
Dan Cogan, a Saratoga Springs code enforcer, thinks it could be difficult for Uber and Lyft drivers in downtown Saratoga and near the track.
“I think it’s going to be a little difficult for them in the downtown and at the track, but using the service on a regular basis for just transportation to and from some place, I think it’s going to work just fine,” said Cogan.
Saratoga Springs has created one of the more extensive taxi programs in New York state, officials said, with over 100 taxis in the city.
CDTA plans to use Saratoga Springs’s taxi code as a model for a new code across the Capital Region.
Saratoga Springs has an extensive vetting process for cab drivers. Four years ago, the city began using a system that notifies the city if a driver has lost their license or has been arrested.
Only taxis with medallions will be allowed in three areas in Saratoga Springs. One of the locations, at Wright Street near the track, has 1518 spots for taxis.
“Uber and Lyft will not be able to stage there, because they are a contract-based and they have a specific customer they are going to have to try to come in Wright Street find that customer and make their pick up and go,” said Cogan. “I think that’s going to be difficult, too just because of the volume of people.”
Christopher thinks Uber and Lyft will do wonders for Troy, a city which has nightlife and cultural opportunities that continue to expand.
“Troy is experiencing a renaissance. We’ve got a ton of great shops, retail shops, small businesses, restaurants, bars. The problem with Troy is that it’s difficult to drive around Troy. It’s difficult to parallel park for a lot of people,” said Christopher. “A lot of the economic activity is in the suburbs and people want to come to Troy, but it is very difficult for them to drive here and it’s nearly impossible of them to get to or from Troy, N.Y. The local cab options have been deplorable, and it’s going to be very exciting to actually give people an opportunity to enter and leave Troy easily which is what ride-sharing services are going to do.”
Uber will mark the launch of its ride-sharing service on Thursday, June 29 at 1 p.m. at Quackenbush Square in Albany.
On Thursday at 10 a.m. at 112 Spring St. in Saratoga Springs, Uber will officially launch in the Spa City with Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner taking the inaugural ride.