Uber Helps People Ring In The New Year

Uber drivers shared the road with taxis and designated drivers on New Year’s Eve.

Uber didn’t seem to hurt the competition. Both kinds of rides were out in force Wednesday night.

Paul Chapman and his family took Uber to State Street from the Santa Barbara harbor.

He said he didn’t want to have to find parking and he didn’t want to have to use cash.

People of all ages grabbed Uber to head to restaurants and to the Granada to see the symphony.

Jacob Ranger started driving for Uber in September. Ranger said he had to pass a background check and have a newer-model car.

He said he liked giving people safe rides and he said it often saves them money.

Uber expects to offer more than 2 million rides nationwide on New Year’s Eve.

Early birds said they saved money.

Surge pricing raises rates when the demand is greater than the supply of Uber drivers.

The highest fares are expected to happen after midnight.