This year has already been eventful for Uber Atlanta, and 2015 is far from over. Notable milestones in recent months are benefiting riders, drivers and the Atlanta community as a whole. Perhaps no milestone was more significant than the passage of modern, sensible ridesharing legislation, HB 225, signed by Gov. Nathan Deal this past April. This forward-thinking law creates a permanent home for ridesharing in Georgia, and establishes a solid foundation for Uber to expand economic opportunity, improve access to safe transportation options, and help make our communities better connected.
Since launching in Atlanta just three years ago, we have facilitated millions of safe rides throughout the state. Beyond providing access to safe rides, Uber’s largest impact is the unprecedented economic opportunity felt in local communities. Today, many of Atlanta entrepreneurs earn good money and help support their families by partnering with Uber. These small business owners are providing a valuable service to their neighbors and visitors, all while setting their own schedule and working on their own terms.
Uber continues to explore opportunities that expand transportation access, better connect our communities and improve the way our cities move. That’s why we were particularly excited to partner with MARTA this past June on the “Last Mile Campaign.” Through this partnership, we are greatly expanding access to Atlanta’s public transportation system by seamlessly connecting riders from their homes or work to the nearest MARTA station.
This agreement is the second of its kind across the country and establishes Atlanta as a leader in transportation innovation. Together, we are helping to provide reliable options that address gaps in the community’s transportation ecosystem. Uber is able to bring our riders the same quality service people have come to expect, while integrating our operations with the public transportation infrastructure. Beyond increasing access, we believe this integration will have positive traffic and environmental impacts.
As we build on these successes, we are also looking to the opportunities ahead.
Atlanta is home to the busiest airport in the world, with tens of millions of passengers coming through Hartsfield-Jackson every year. We believe Uber can have a powerful impact on reducing congestion and improving the efficiency of getting travelers to and from the airport safely. We have already forged successful operating agreements with airports in cities across the U.S. looking to position themselves as world-class business and tourist destinations.
The world over, people have increasingly come to expect and demand convenient transportation through Uber wherever they land. In the coming weeks, we look forward to continuing our work with airport officials, the Atlanta City Council, and the City Attorney’s Office on formal ordinance changes that will codify our safety standards without raising undue barriers to driver-partners providing this valuable service for travelers, the airport and the city as a whole.
Working together with city officials, we hope to ensure access to safe, reliable transportation options at one of the world’s premier airports.
Uber is very appreciative of the support that Georgia has shown us in the past three years. We look forward to continuing to provide safe, affordable and reliable transportation for years to come. Thank you Atlanta for welcoming us as a part of your community.
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