Lyft rolling in Jefferson City

In this Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016, file photo, a driver displaying Lyft and Uber stickers on his front windshield drops off a customer in downtown Los Angeles.
In this Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016, file photo, a driver displaying Lyft and Uber stickers on his front windshield drops off a customer in downtown Los Angeles.

Lyft launched in Jefferson City on Friday afternoon, four days after larger rival Uber.

Gov. Eric Greitens on Monday signed a bill into law, effective Aug. 28, which effectively allows ride-hailing services to begin operating in Missouri. Uber launched in Jefferson City on Monday afternoon.

The Jefferson City Council voted unanimously March 6 to amend the city code to allow ride-hailing companies to operate within city limits after first applying for Transportation Network Company (TNC) permits with the city. Despite that, both Uber and Lyft decided to wait until the state bill, House Bill 130, passed the General Assembly and was signed by Greitens to formally enter the Jefferson City market.

Lyft applied for a TNC permit with the city earlier this week, and the permit was approved Friday, Jefferson City Counselor Ryan Moehlman said.

HB 130 mandates background checks for all drivers of ride-hailing services, established how ride-hailing services may charge fares and mandated other regulations.

San Francisco-based Lyft began operating in St. Louis, St. Charles and Columbia on Wednesday. Before the bill's signing, Springfield was Lyft's only Missouri market because a local law there allowed it to operate.

Lyft Communications Manager Scott Coriell said in a news release Friday the company will allow residents to earn extra income and provide another safe transportation option to Jefferson City residents.

"We're excited to expand our services in Missouri and look forward to bringing Lyft to more communities around the state," Corriell said.