Uber & Lyft in the 518: Everything You Need to Know

We've been waiting and waiting and now it's finally here! Ride sharing is available in the Capital Region and now us 518-ers will know the benefits of Uber and Lyft!

If you happen to be going out tonight, you're in luck! According to Spectrum, the official start time for ride sharing in the Capital Region is 12:01AM Thursday morning. The companies have been hiring the drivers for months, performing background checks and preparing them for their first ride sharing drive. Neither app has released their exact prices yet but they aren't necessarily the same prices you may have seen in other ride share cities.

To use it, you just need to download either the Uber or Lyft app and decide on which size vehicle you need. Once you decide, you get  a picture of the driver, description of the car, and license plate number to make sure you're getting in the right vehicle. Drivers have the ability to text or call if there or complications or if they can't find you. Payment is through your credit card, through the app and tips are not expected but appreciated.

If you want to be a driver for Uber or Lyft, you must be over 21, have at least one year of driving experience (3 years if you're under 23), able to pass a background check & have a valid drivers license, bank account, and proof of insurance.

Before you get in a vehicle, verify the information you've been given and look for a decal for the respective company on the car!