It just got a bit easier to find a ride in Denton.
On Tuesday morning Uber announced that it was officially launching its taxi-alternative service in the city immediately.
By the early afternoon the company’s iPhone app showed at least five available drivers, like Bradley Zane who said if his past trips to the city are any indicator, many more drivers will show up soon.
"I was here on Saturday night and I did seven fares in about two hours, so that's a pretty good number,” said Zane.
A big reason for that may be the current taxi situation in Denton, which residents report is not great.
Currently only a few cab companies even offer service to the city and residents said if you don’t book in advance they’re often left waiting, sometimes for hours, for a ride to arrive.
"Everyone just knows it's just not easy to do. They're not around hanging out outside the bars at 2 a.m.,” said Ashley Austin, of Denton.
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"I come out to Fry a lot and the Square and there's never any cabs anywhere or to be seen anywhere,” said Kelly Henderson.
City Transportation Director Mark Nelson said the company had been in talks with him since late last month to possibly expand into Denton and gauge if their services would be a good fit for the community.
Zane said he and other drivers quickly found that people were ready to call on them there.
"I think they're going to get a lot more drivers up here, too, because I think especially with the university and some of the business people going to the airport and things like that, I think there's definitely a need,” said Zane.
Uber is an app-based service where users download the app to their smartphone, order their ride right on the screen and then pay via credit card through their phone. Zane said the fares often run significantly cheaper than most taxis as well.
To start, Uber is offering free rides in Denton through Thursday night.
