Uber has arrived in the Illinois capital city, Springfield, as of the lunch hour today, Friday, January 9, 2015, according to the UberBlog!

RELATED:
Uber’s Demographics Are Changing: Passengers and Drivers!
Uber Wins In Illinois, For Now
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BONUS: FREE $20 to start 

“Rider Zero” will be Springfield Alderman Cory Jobe, as the UberBlog states:

Springfield, your Uber has arrived! Starting at 12PM today, Illinois’ capital city will become the second city in the Land of Lincoln to have access to the convenience and reliability of Uber. We couldn’t be more excited to launch here in the City of Springfield, with the support of Mayor Mike Houston and the City Council, who passed the Transportation Network Company ordinance on Tuesday this week.

To kick off our launch, Alderman Cory Jobe took the first uberX ride around Illinois’ newest Uber city! Jobe fired open his Uber app and with two taps, requested an uberX ride in Springfield. Within minutes, an Uber arrived, offering him a reliable and convenient 5-star ride to his office.

I use Uber every chance I get when I travel. It’s convenient, clean, safe(r), and I love the fact that I don’t have to deal with getting out my wallet or tipping when getting out of the car. Just arrive, exit, and go!

WHAT IS UBER?
Uber, a San Francisco-based company valued at $40 billion founded in 2009, relies on its smartphone app to connect “ride sharing” drivers and riders generally driving their personal vehicles (UberX), an executive black car (UberBlack), an SUV (UberSUV) or a taxi (UberTaxi). Riders request a pickup via the app to a specific destination, with fares based on a distance and time combination with the driver’s tip included. The trip cost is automatically charged on a saved credit card, eliminating the need to fumble with a wallet, purse, or otherwise dig out cash and calculated any tip.

Uber Springfield Rates:
– Base Fare: $2
– Per Minute: $0.20
– Per Mile: $1.65
– Safe Rides Fee: $1
(min. fare $5)

Sample Fares
– Campus to the Capitol building – $10
– Fairgrounds to downtown – $11
– Capitol building to the airport – $13

Here’s an example (fare vary by city):

Uber Springfield

An example of a recent ride I took in Scottsdale, AZ with UberX in his BMW 5-series.

Uber Springfield

Typical UberX cost breakdown, charged directly to your credit card when stepping out of the ride (i.e. when driver pushes “End Trip”).

So, if you haven’t tried Uber, what are you waiting for!?
And if you really feel adventurous… or just need to earn some extra cash on YOUR schedule (see “Uber’s Demographics” article link above)… why not become a driver!?

RIDERS: Free $20 to start :: –> Link 
DRIVERS: $100 bonus to start :: –> Link

WANT AN UBER RIDER BONUS?
Uber continues to offer a $20 referral credit. Every new rider who signs up with this link gets their first ride free (up to $20), and I get equal credit for spreading the word. It’s the ultimate win-win. Once you’ve signed up with the referral link, you should immediately see the free ride in your account.

Uber Springfield

Uber Driver (Ok, you don’t have to dress to the nines)

WANT TO BECOME A DRIVER?
Must be 21 years old and pass a background check. Drivers are screened against criminal records, the National Sex Offender Registry, and driving records (no DUI, reckless driving, driving without insurance, or a suspended license. Car must be less than 10 years old, have four doors and cannot be rebuilt or have a salvage title.

Become an Uber Driver now in the Springfield area now to earn a new driver referral bonus to $100!

Steps to your bonus:

  1. Sign up here
  2. Upload all required documents and photos to the UberPartner website (it’s all easy to do online)
  3. Link your bank account for payment direct deposit (optional)
  4. Drive 20 trips (normally only takes 2-4 hours of driving)

Drive and ride safely, Springfield!

____
@travelblawg
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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission.