By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Those in Alabaster looking to utilize popular ridesharing services such as Uber will now be able to do so after the Alabaster City Council voted to add a section to its business license ordinances covering the companies.

Council members voted unanimously during their Feb. 22 meeting to add a section to the city’s ordinances covering “transportation network companies,” which covers ridesharing entities such as Uber and Lyft.

The action came after a public hearing on the matter, during which nobody spoke for or against making the business license modifications.

Through ridesharing services, customers are able to use a smartphone app to find and schedule rides from drivers registered with the ridesharing company. Most ridesharing drivers use their personal vehicles to transport riders.

As a result of the new business license additions, ridesharing companies will pay $500 per year to purchase a license to operate in Alabaster. City Attorney Jeff Brumlow said the amount is similar to what other cities charge.

Taxi companies are already covered under Alabaster’s current business license ordinances, and government-owned transportation companies are exempt from the ridesharing guidelines.

Alabaster is the most recent Shelby County city to allow ridesharing companies to operate in its city limits. Helena and Hoover have already amended their business license structures to cover the companies, and Pelham currently is considering allowing ridesharing companies.

The new Alabaster ordinances require ridesharing drivers to undergo background checks and hold insurance coverage, among other requirements. Individuals on the National Sex Offender Registry and who have been convicted of certain felonies are prohibited from driving for ridesharing companies.

Under the new Alabaster guidelines, drivers must be at least 19 years old and must not have more than three minor or one major driving violations in the previous three years.