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Cuomo gets a ‘Lyft’ from the airport

Governor Cuomo with former Lyft driver, Rita Bentley of Rochester
Alex Crichton
Governor Cuomo with former Lyft driver, Rita Bentley of Rochester

Governor Cuomo came to Rochester Tuesday morning to talk about transportation.

He arrived at the New York Division Of Military and Naval Affairs in a car driven by a former Lyft driver, Rita Bentley of Rochester.

"She's going to be a Lyft driver again. We signed the law that allows Uber and Lyft to operate in Upstate New York.  So in just a few short weeks, she's going to be back at work," he said.

Bentley says she's excited at the prospect of driving again for the ride-hailing service.

"Economically speaking, I can't wait.  I have two children, so I'm raising them.  And it was just an overall experience. To meet new people, kept the streets a little safer," she said.

The new state budget authorizes ride-hailing services like Lyft and Uber to operate upstate.

It's expected the companies will start in July.

While in Rochester, Governor Cuomo took part in ground breaking ceremonieson the $60 million dollar improvement project at the Greater Rochester International Airport.

Here's the governor arriving via a former Lyft driver this morning: