Las Vegas Sun

March 19, 2024

First Uber, Lyft drivers begin ferrying passengers in Las Vegas, setting up conflict with Clark County

Uber in Las Vegas

Daniel Rothberg / Las Vegas Sun

An Uber driver takes a passenger for a ride Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015, in Las Vegas.

Updated Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015 | 3:17 p.m.

Although a state panel signed off on regulations that legalized ride-hailing services Uber and Lyft on Monday, Clark County attempted to pause the long-awaited debut of the companies in Las Vegas at a meeting today, saying that they would not be allowed to operate without business licenses granted by the county.

But the companies showed no signs of backing down. Shortly after the meeting ended, at least two Uber drivers were picking up rides, according to its app. Lyft started offering rides at 3 p.m.

Although state regulators granted final permission Monday, Clark County has yet to create the legal framework to issue business licenses. The county introduced an ordinance at its meeting today that would create a new category of business license, scheduling a hearing for Oct. 20.

Both Uber and Lyft have worked with the county on the business license issue for weeks.

Tensions rose throughout the meeting. Kelly Kay, Lyft’s vice president of compliance and payment, said the company was receiving mixed messages from state regulators and local policymakers.

"I’m extremely disappointed,” Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak said in response to Kay’s statement. “The fact that that would be your statement is beyond shocking to me.”

Uber launched in Las Vegas last October but suspended its operations after an injunction in November.

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