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Online Ads Hint At Rideshare Expansion Downstate

Taxi by Ben Fredericson Ipad wallpaper
Credit Taxi by Ben Fredericson Ipad wallpaper

Hints are popping up that the controversial rideshare service called Uber may be expanding its reach in Illinois.

Uber is riding a wave of victory in Illinois. The company fended off regulations it said were too onerous, and helped the General Assembly craft a compromise measure instead. That's awaiting action from the governor.

But the rideshare service may already be making good on plan to grow outside the Chicago region.

It's advertising online for drivers in Springfield and Champaign.

A post looking for an UberX driver on LinkedIn reads "With the weather getting colder, driving with Uber is a great way to make up to $20+/hour in fares just for driving your own car and giving people rides home from work, to the holiday party, shopping and back again."

As the ad suggests, UberX works like a taxi service. But drivers use their own cars, not a cab. And a passenger uses a smartphone app to request a ride.

Uber's top Chicago executive said in recent interviews that the company is interested in expanding downstate, but he would not offer specifics.  A spokesperson responded to inquires today about the postings by saying only "what I can tell you is that Uber is exploring expansion in a number of cities across Illinois - including Springfield."

According to LinkedIn, the ads went up a few days ago.

Copyright 2014 NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS

Amanda Vinicky moved to Chicago Tonight on WTTW-TV PBS in 2017.
Amanda Vinicky
Amanda Vinicky moved to Chicago Tonight on WTTW-TV PBS in 2017.