After 2014 departure, Lyft operations return to KCMO

Kansas Citians now have more ridesharing options than just Uber.

After nearly a three year hiatus, the ride-sharing giant Lyft on Sunday re-launched its operations in Kansas City, Mo., including Kansas City International Airport.

Lyft’s arrival represents more local competition among Uber and Lyft, and more choices for riders in Kansas City. Lyft already was operating in St. Louis and Columbia and several Kansas cities, including Kansas City, Kan., Lawrence, Topeka and more.

Similar to Uber, Lyft allows users to hail a ride from a driver on-demand via an app.

Earlier this month, the Kansas City Council voted 9-2 to amend its vehicle-for-hire law to comply with a Missouri state law that goes into effect in August. That state law changed regulations for companies such as Uber and Lyft, including licensing fees, background checks and inspections. The new law also exempts ride-sharing companies from local and municipal taxes.

Lyft halted its Kansas City operations in October of 2014 after the city established for-hire transportation regulations it deemed as too burdensome. In 2015 the company said it wouldn’t return to Kansas City, while Uber agreed to work within the new regulatory framework.

The self-proclaimed “fastest growing ridesharing service in the U.S.,” Lyft is Uber’s primary domestic competitor. In April, Lyft raised $600 million financing round at a valuation of $7.5 billion. Founded in 2012, Lyft is available in more than 350 U.S. cities.