Lyft to start service in South Dakota at noon today

By Rosemary McCoy

Greg LaFollette will be picking up Lyft’s first customers in Sioux Falls at noon today.

Mayor Mike Huether and City Council member Christine Erickson will take the kickoff ride in LaFollette’s black Chrysler 300 when he pulls up at City Hall.

LaFollettte, a consultant and speaker, worked with Huether, Erickson and other city officials to bring the long-awaited ride-sharing service to town.

“I’m thrilled. It’s one of those things where working on it I felt like Sisyphus,” he said, recalling the king in Greek mythology who had to roll a boulder up a hill only to watch it roll back down and have to start over again for eternity. “We just kept the fire on it.”

Now that Lyft has received its South Dakota sales tax license, rides will begin across the state at noon today, Oct. 24, in cities where the service and drivers have been approved. The number of drivers ready to go in South Dakota is not available; a Lyft spokesperson said the company does not break out data by markets.

“Since Lyft’s founding in 2012, our goal has always been to create better transportation, decrease the amount of cars and traffic on the road, and bring safe and affordable rides to the entire country. South Dakota marks the 50th state that Lyft has become operational in, getting us one step closer to delivering on that mission, ” said Jaime Raczka, regional director, new markets.

After downloading the Lyft app on their cellphones, new passengers can use the code LYFTLOVE17 to receive $5 off their first Lyft ride anywhere.

LaFollette was approved as Lyft’s first driver after it became a long-running joke while working with the city and company representatives. He said he isn’t becoming a regular driver.

“Don’t call me after you’ve been out drinking all night,” he joked.

 

Jodi’s Journal: The ‘Lyft’ Sioux Falls needed

 

 

 

Tags:  

Want to stay in the know?

Get our free business news delivered to your inbox.



Lyft to start service in South Dakota at noon today

Greg LaFollette will be picking up Lyft’s first customers in Sioux Falls at noon today.

News Tip

Have a business news item to share with us?

Scroll to top