FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Thousands of people are taking to social media in hopes of keeping Uber services in Broward County.
Uber first started pickups in Broward County nearly a year ago, but the ride-sharing company announced Monday that it would be suspending services July 31 because it could not reach an agreement with Broward County commissioners.
"It's all around a better deal than calling a cab company," a Las Olas resident told Local 10 News.
"I use it when I go out drinking, so I don't have to drive home," another Uber user said.
The ride-sharing service is a popular form of transportation throughout South Florida, but after a nearly year-long battle with county commissioners, Uber announced it would be ceasing pickups in the county.
"Since Uber came to Broward County last August, thousands of local drivers have provided more than one million safe rides throughout the county. And during that time, dozens of states and municipalities have embraced innovation and consumer choice by passing sensible ridesharing regulations," Uber said in an email Monday. "Unfortunately, the Broward County Board of County Commissioners has taken the opposite approach, creating one of the most hostile regulatory environments in the nation."
Morgan Ricci, an employee at American Social, said she uses Uber and many bar patrons also rely on the service.
"They use it really to be safe and it's cheap, so that's kind of like a selling point," Ricci said.
An online petition was created to keep Uber in Broward County. At last check, more than 65,000 people have signed the petition.
"Fort Lauderdale is such a party city that it's a better, more convenient way for people to get home," Rachel Mullen said.
Uber said that while drivers will no longer pick up passengers in Broward County, they will still drop off passengers.
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