Uber Gets Green Light in Alabama City

Ridesharing services have started operating in Birmingham, Ala.

Tom Maguire, general manager of Uber in Alabama told Al.com that users would be able to hail rides from their smartphones as of Dec. 29.

Ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft let people use smartphone apps to book and pay for rides. Birmingham officials had been discussing whether to allow the companies for more than a year.

Council members in early December passed an ordinance allowing the companies to operate in the city. Officials have said they plan to reevaluate the ordinance in six months.

City officials granted Uber its local business license this week. City Council President Johnathan Austin tells WBMA-TV that drivers are also required to apply for $30 annual individual licenses.