Massachusetts lawmakers filed a formal list of regulations on Saturday that grant ridesharing companies among the ranks of Uber and Lyft official recognition as legitimate modes of transportation within the state.
The 29-page document recognizes said ridesharing groups as Transportation Network Companies (TNC) that provide "transportation of a passenger between points chosen by the passenger for consideration," BostInno reports.
"Governor Deval Patrick and his Administration, particularly MassDOT officials, have displayed tremendous leadership in this regulatory process," Uber officials wrote in a message to users, the site also reports.
"We are proud that they have formally recognized ridesharing as a new and innovative transportation model in Massachusetts."
Uber has not fared as well internationally as it has in Massachusetts: last month the governments of Spain and Thailand ordered ridesharing company to cease operations due to its alleged lack of compliance with the transportation laws of those countries.
Although it was able to continue to operate in France, it has not witnessed the same success in other countries that are weary of the company. Low wages, unfair competition and lack of governmental oversight have been cited as the most common complaints against Uber expansionism.
The San Francisco-based transportation network was founded in 2009 and has witnessed substantial economic growth since.
