Car service Uber said it paid more than $8 million to its more than 4,000 “driver-partners” in its first year in Connecticut.
The taxi competitor — which matches up customers with drivers via mobile app — started in New Haven and Fairfield counties. Over the past year, it has grown its presence in Greater Hartford and eastern Connecticut.
Across the state, cars are picking up customers within an average of five minutes, the company said.
Uber said it expects to add a total of 5,000 more driver-partners this year.
Ride-sharing services have drawn the ire of taxi cab operators, who argue that a lack of regulation of the upstart companies puts taxis at a competitive disadvantage.
A bill before the legislature would require the companies to register with the state, run backround checks on drivers, perform vehicle inspections and obtain the same level of insurance required of cabs.
