SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) -- Announced with much fanfare today, Mayor Mike Huether and City Council Vice Chair Christine Erickson said the ride share app Lyft is coming to Sioux Falls.
Just not yet.
While the app is available for download, there are currently no licensed or certified Lyft drivers in Sioux Falls.
The company is also going through the registration process with the City of Sioux Falls.
When asked when residents can summon a Lyft pick-up, "soon" was as specific that Huether or Erickson could be.
Apparently just recently Lyft had worked out the details of collecting state sales tax on fare for the State of South Dakota and the City of Sioux Falls.
Erickson also said South Dakota is the last state to finally--some day--have Lyft's services.
Huether also said the city had not done any studies on whether the Sioux Falls market needed--or could bear--more competition for taxi-like services.
The Mayor also appeared unconcerned about the impact Lyft might have on existing cab companies operating in the city.
"Are you worried about the impact on the existing cabs?" KELO.com News asked at the news conference Monday.
"Competition's good," Huether replied.
"So, you're not concerned?" KELO.com News followed up?
"Competition is good," Huether repeated.
The Mayor was also reluctant to discuss what would happen if a rider had a poor experience with Lyft and what their recourse might be with the City of Sioux Falls.
Councilor Erickson, however, said she expected Lyft to abide by the provisions of the ride share ordinance the Council passed in 2015.
Click above to listen to the full news conference.
