Around Town

Uber station trial run coming to Downtown

by Christiaan Mader

Designated space will provide a centralized meet-up location for Uber riders and Uber drivers.

Smart-phone chauffeur service Uber will test out a fixed weekend station in Downtown starting September 4. Each Friday and Saturday night from 9 pm until 2 pm Uber users can meet their hired cars at a designated space at the corner of Congress Street and Jefferson Street, just on the other side of the police barricade.

The space will facilitate access for Uber riders and drivers during busy club nights Downtown and will provide

a safe and proactive way for mobile hires to connect. The space will be marked with an Uber-branded sign so users can identify their pick-up locale.

Officials with Downtown Development Authority and the Downtown Lafayette Restaurant and Bar Association have supported the Uber initiative, working with police to sort out an ideal spot for designation. DLRBA president Gus Rezende says the initiative is all part of making access to Downtown safer and easier, and providing more options for transportation.

“The idea is to create a better environment for downtown visitors," says Rezende. "We are trying to connect the dots to create a better and more vibrant Downtown that will make people feel safe and feel like they can have good time."

Uber has, thus far, been a success in the Downtown area since it arrived this past May, with many visitors taking advantage of the on-demand ride service via mobile application. Adding a station does not change the basic interface of Uber which requires an Uber app on a mobile phone to order and hire a car. Should the trial run prove beneficial, Uber will add additional stations around Downtown.

If you haven't yet tried it, Uber is still running a Downtown Lafayette promotion which takes $20 off your first ride when using the "LAFDOWNTOWN" promo code.