Uber has arrived in the Quad Cities.
At 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21, 2015, the ride-sharing app went live in the Quad Cities. By downloading the smartphone app, customers can find drivers who are close to their location, arrange for a pick-up, and pay for rides using credit card.
"I'm super excited about it," said Eleanor Nolan, a senior at Augustana College. "There's a lot of cool places with live music, there's a lot of cool bars in the area, so I feel like I would see myself using that a lot."
Uber's arrival comes after nearly a year of work by the Quad Cities Chamber's young professionals' network. The service already operates in cities like Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Chicago, Springfield, Bloomington-Normal and Rockford.
Not everyone, though, is ready to hop on board.
Michael Heisler owns Good to Go Taxi Service in Davenport, and said he has several concerns about the company.
"If people want to use Uber, that's up to them. But if something happens, then that's the consequence you pay for not knowing," said Heisler.
Heisler's drivers are required to have a special taxi license from the city, and they must pass a knowledge test and police background check. He said he's strict about who he hires for a reason.
"You have to be careful about who you have on the road, because if you have a person who has anger issues, and they deal with somebody on the weekend that's been drinking, you don't want to get a phone call that your driver pulled somebody out of a car and beat them up on the side of the road," said Heisler.
Uber drivers use their own vehicles and aren't required to have a taxi license. Uber says its drivers go through a rigorous screening process, though, including a background check and driving history check.
Heisler also points out that, unlike Uber, his company doesn't use "surge pricing," which can result in higher rates during periods of peak demand. His company uses an app called Gata Hub, which is similar to Uber, but doesn't require the use of a credit card.
Quad City leaders, though, believe there is room for both cab companies and Uber in town.
"I think it's another alternative. Our taxi companies are great parts of our economy, they're really important. People rely on them, and they'll continue to rely on them. I think this is just another great option," said Tara Barney, president of the Quad Cities Chamber.
Uber is offering 5 free rides through Tuesday, July 28, by entering the code "QCFREE" under Promotions in the app.