Uber plans on making the Quad Cities its latest stop, according to Quad City officials.
The private ride-sharing company offers a smartphone app that allows customers to book and pay for private car service. Private drivers, who are hired by Uber, pickup customers in their personnel cars, offering a private cab service. Uber is offered throughout Illinois, including Chicago, Rockford and Springfield. It's also offered in select cities in Iowa like Des Moines and Cedar Rapids.
"The only barrier of entry for a group like Uber to come to the Quad Cities is the need for legislation and coding in place," said Aiden Landman, director of Young Professionals of the Quad Cities and Uber supporter.
Currently there is a bill in the Iowa Legislature that would create state-wide regulations for companies like Uber. Illinois passed similar legislation earlier in the year.
Landman said he has been in talks with officials from Uber since this past October, and said they have expressed a high interest in the Quad Cities, pending on whether or not the proper legislation is approved. He added that the service could boost business for local cab drivers.
"The idea is that you turn people on to new ways to get around," Landman said. "After trying Uber, they will probably try our channel cat water-taxi to get from Moline to Bettendorf and other cab services."
Some Quad-City cabdrivers aren't as ecstatic for Uber's plans.
Mike Heisler, the owner of Good to Go Taxi Cab Service in Davenport, told News 8 that cab drivers in Iowa are required to carry a Class three chauffeurs license, plus take a test for proper credentials. He added that Uber drivers are only required to have a valid driver's license, auto insurance and a background check.
Heisler said the lack of requirements for Uber drivers have led to pending litigation against Uber drivers. He believes Uber drivers need to follow the same requirements as cabdrivers.
If Iowa legislators pass a bill with regulations for Uber drivers, Landman said Uber could be in the Quad Cities as early as Spring of 2015.