In this 2015 file photo, Uber driver Karim Amrani sits in his car parked near the San Francisco International Airport parking area in San Francisco.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Next stop for a bill that paves the way for ride-booking companies like Uber to operate in West Virginia: Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s desk.
On Monday, the state Senate voted unanimously to approve legislation that establishes rules for the app-based transportation services in West Virginia. The House of Delegates passed the bill 94-4 on Feb. 15.
Tomblin is expected to sign the legislation, and West Virginians could start hailing rides with their smartphone apps starting July 1.
“This legislation provides an opportunity for people to benefit from self-employment opportunities, will provide an additional transportation option in many cities and should cut down on drunken driving,” said Chris Stadelman, a spokesman for Tomblin.
Ride-for-hire services will likely be most popular in larger cities like Huntington, Morgantown and Charleston…
