Take a free ride on Uber this weekend.
The app-based transportation service is offering free rides up to $20 to customers using its uberX service in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.
The free rides are part of an effort to convince state regulators to establish rules that will allow the company to easily operate in the state.
In a statement announcing the free rides, Uber wrote that Maryland has yet to embrace regulatory frameworks for ridesharing businesses such as Uber.
“The [Maryland Public Service Commission] wants to impose taxi rules on Uber that will stifle our ability to operate, and make convenient rides less reliable and more costly,” Uber says. “Many of those who proposed these regulations have never actually used our product.”
In order to get the free ride users need to input the code “INNOVATEMD” in the Uber app or online and begin or end a trip in Montgomery or Prince George’s counties. The offer is valid from 5 p.m. Friday to 11:50 p.m. Sunday night and each user is limited to a maximum of two rides.
Uber is asking people to share the news about free rides with their friends as well as to tweet to Gov. Larry Hogan (@LarryHogan) their support for Uber.
While the Public Service Commission debates how to regulate Uber and other ridesharing services in the state, Montgomery County elected officials are also examining regulations around app-based services.
