Uber conquers Tri-Cities with Pasco approval
San Francisco-based Uber has secured a license to operate in Pasco, completing the Tri-City conquest that began a year ago when it negotiated code amendments that brought it to Richland and Kennewick.
The city of Pasco tweeted that it has approved a master business license for Uber and has approved two applications from drivers.
Uber update: The City has approved the master business license for Uber and has already approved two "Driver For Hire" applications today: https://t.co/EfwVBjAHEK pic.twitter.com/N8HSjplMHV
— City of Pasco (@Pasco_WA) December 21, 2017
The app-based ride-hailing service began operating freely in much of the Tri-Cities about a year ago. But a standoff over fingerprint checks for drivers kept it from operating in Pasco, home to the Tri-Cities Airport. Uber said it would not operate with the restriction in place.
Uber users could get a ride to Pasco, but drivers could not pick up riders there, even at the airport.
Pasco dropped the fingerprint requirement for certain drivers, paving the way for Uber, Lyft and similar services to begin operating in the city. City officials anticipated receiving the company’s business license application this week.
This story was originally published December 21, 2017 at 1:34 PM with the headline "Uber conquers Tri-Cities with Pasco approval."