NEW YORK STATE – Last week, Senator Fred Akshar of New York's 52nd District released an online “Ride Sharing Survey” asking people to weigh-in on the possibility of bringing ride sharing services like Uber or Lyft to Upstate New York.

“I've heard from so many constituents and local businesses who support bringing Ride Sharing Services like Uber and Lyft to Upstate communities,” said Senator Fred Akshar. “I think it's a great idea, but I want to hear from as many constituents as possible on this issue.”

Akshar noted that the Southern Tier–among other Upstate regions–is suffering without more public and private transportation options available.

In June of 2016, the NYS Senate passed a bill sponsored by Senator James Seward of the 51st District that would allow companies like Uber and Lyft to expand their services to Upstate New York, but Seward's bill did not make it out of the Assembly's Insurance Committee.