Legislature OKs legislation authorizing ride-sharing companies to operate Upstate by July 4: O’Mara co-sponsors measure and cites economic, other benefits

Albany, N.Y., May 24—The New York State Legislature has approved legislation co-sponsored by Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) to allow ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft to begin operating in upstate New York State communities by June 29, in time for the July Fourth holiday weekend.

Following the Senate’s approval last week, the Assembly approved the legislation (S.5814/A.7624) yesterday and it now goes to Governor Andrew Cuomo for final action.  It’s expected that Cuomo will sign the measure into law.

The 2017-18 state budget authorized ride-sharing services to begin operating outside of New York City later this summer.  The new legislation O’Mara co-sponsors changes the effective date included in the budget and accelerates it by 10 days to make ride-sharing available upstate as early as June 29, 2017.

O’Mara, Vice Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, said, “It makes no sense for the residents of upstate New York communities to be left standing out in the rain waiting for ride-sharing services to begin operating.  The sooner the better and this legislation moves up the timeframe so that these services can be in place by the Fourth of July.  Our upstate communities deserve to benefit from the economic, environmental and public safety advantages offered by Uber, Lyft and other ride-sharing companies.”