SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Yankton will have the first ride sharing service in the state beginning July 1.
Liberty Mobility, a ride sharing service similar to Uber or Lyft, will operate in Yankton County.
CEO Valerie Lefler says Yankton Area Progress Growth group reached out to Liberty. Lefler says the company is eager to serve in innovative rural communities. She says with Liberty riders will be able to use their smartphones to get a ride in the county.
Lefler says Liberty makes an effort to partner with existing transit companies and services. Yankton leaders sees Liberty as an opportunity if it meets the right criteria.
She says "Liberty drivers" operate similar to a Lyft or Uber driver, "but they're really there to fill in the gap. They're independent contractors that drive their own vehicles and go through a safety inspection."
Lefler says Liberty's first priority is to seek existing partners that are providing service and bring them on to their platform.
She says it's up to the consumer as to which service they like and says there are certain types of rides they can't take. She says that's when Liberty looks to their partners to provide those rides.
Lefler says they realize there are times when a Liberty driver isn't available and they will try to connect the rider with a taxi.
Liberty is based in Lincoln, Nebraska.
(Thanks Jerry Oster, WNAX Yankton)
