Ride-sharing service Uber announced Tuesday it has reached a significant milestone of exceeding 20,000 Bay Area drivers on the mobile app platform.
The growth has also prompted the company to invest in what it calls walk-in support offices throughout Northern California. Uber's Partner Support Centers will be a one-stop shop for drivers to get any questions answered.
"At Uber we are thrilled to be playing a role in unlocking economic opportunity and empowering entrepreneurs across the Bay Area, and we are even more excited to be able to accomplish this at such a large scale," Uber's Bay Area General Manager Wayne Ting said in a statement.
In addition to its San Francisco location, Uber plans to open more support centers in the Bay Area at Concord and Daly City.
Uber's growth in the Bay Area appears likely to continue.
The Bay Area Council said as more people come to the Bay Area for work, the demand for ride-sharing services will only grow.
"You're seeing record capacity on Muni, BART, Caltrain and on freeways so at this point we need every solution we can get," said Adrian Covert with the Bay Area Council.
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The company's growth is also helping the Bay Area economy by providing jobs.
Artist Liza Bender said she makes at least $36 an hour driving for Uber and being an independent contractor works for her current schedule.
"I don't mind how it's set up right now that's worth it for me," Bender said. "The freedom to make my schedule makes up for the perks I'd get."
But with Uber's expansion comes growing pains. Some drivers are suing Uber for benefits, a case still making its way through the courts.
San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon has also raised safety concerns with Uber, saying the company's background checks on drivers should be more thorough.
