Gainesville approves beer for Uber, Lyft passengers

Just before the start of Gator football season, Gainesville made it legal for fans to drink on their Uber rides to the game.

During a City Commission meeting Thursday, commissioners unanimously passed an ordinance allowing passengers of vehicles for hire to bring alcohol on rides.

At the meeting, City Attorney Nicole Shalley said the law change is a corrective measure.

Last year, the city vehicles-for-hire ordinance was updated to regulate Uber and Lyft, but the regulation to allow open containers was still reserved for taxis and limousines.

“The driver still cannot have alcohol, obviously,” Shalley said.

State regulations set the standard for these kinds of laws, said Mayor Lauren Poe. Municipalities have the power to adjust these laws, as long as it doesn’t conflict with the state law.

Jennifer Reardon, a 40-year-old Uber driver, sees the law as much needed protection. She said passengers have brought drinks into her car before and sometimes leave them, but now it’s one less thing she has to worry about.

“I’m more worried about when someone who’s intoxicated gets in and spills a drink all over my car,” she said.

Alana Pupello, 23, said there’s no way of knowing if the passengers are underage or offering the driver drinks.

“Some people are so antsy to get drunk that they just want to chug in the Uber,” the UF English senior said. “I’m not going to die for like a 10 minute Uber drive if I don’t drink.”