A law regulating transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft went into effect Monday across the state.
Gov. Eric Greitens signed the law in April, and the bill eliminated most hurdles for statewide operation by ride-hailing services.
Uber announced Monday it has begun operations in a handful of Lake of the Ozarks communities it previously did not serve.
Greitens signed the law April 28, which mandates background checks for all drivers of ride-hailing services, establishes how ride-hailing services may charge fares and mandates other regulations. Uber began operating in Jefferson City at noon that day. Lyft followed five days later.
Before the law's signing, Uber operated in Kansas City, Columbia, St. Louis and Springfield. Uber quickly expanded to St. Charles, Branson, Joplin, Poplar Bluff, parts of the Lake of the Ozarks area, and a handful of other cities around the state.
Uber spokeswoman Charity Jackson said Uber expanded to every Lake of the Ozarks community Monday and also launched in St. Joseph.
"There were certain pockets," Jackson said. "There were just little areas we weren't in yet."
With the implementation of the statewide law, drivers can now sign up to drive in Missouri, regardless of whether Uber serves their community. The company is still looking to add service in northern parts of the state, Jackson said.
"Now that we have one model across the state, you can earn wherever you go," Jackson said. "It's nice. Especially students, you drive at home and on campus."
Uber and Lyft do not release driver count data at a local level. When asked in July, Lyft spokesman Scott Coriell said 700,000 people drive for Lyft nationwide and Jackson said "hundreds of thousands" of people drive for Uber nationwide.