FORT SMITH (KFSM)—Uber, the app-based online taxi service, is now available in the city.
“It`s a little easier for me to get out and work the night times and weekends,” Logan Martin said.
Martin said he started driving for Uber back in February 2015 in the Northwest Arkansas area. On Sept. 19, he got word from Uber that its app was accessible in the Fort Smith area, where he lives. He said he started picking up customers the very next day.
“Passengers don`t ever exchange money with their drivers,” Martin explained. “Once you've downloaded the app and created an account, you link whatever card to your liking to your account, and that`s how your payments will be paid through Uber.”
Martin said on average he makes 25-30 trips per week picking up and dropping off customers.
“As we've been driving for the past few weeks, word of mouth is getting around a lot and people seem to be super excited about it, so I don`t think it will take long before it resonates with everyone that we`re here,” he said.
James Ollar is a dispatcher for Razorback Cab and says they haven't seen any drop in business since Uber's arrival.
“We welcome them,” he said. “Competition is great.”
“I don`t look at it as a competitive business, I look at it just as an alternative service,” Martin said.
Fort Smith Police said state law does not allow a city to regulate Uber service, and it’s therefore legal for Uber drivers to operate as long as they have a valid driver's license.
Martin and Ollar said applicants for both companies also undergo background checks before they are hired.
To learn more about Uber, click here.