Uber will return to East Hampton after two years of being unusable

After two years of being unusable in the Town of East Hampton, Uber will return to the Hamptons this summer, reports the New York Times.

In 2014, the Town of East Hampton instituted a law that required any drivers picking up in the town limits to have a business office and license from the town to operate. Ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Lyft don’t have local offices the same way that taxi services do—making them unusable under this law.

By 2015, the town became strict on the law and Uber had to suspend use in East Hampton. Montauk, Amagansett, Springs, and Wainscott are all included in the town limits.

Southampton didn’t enforce the same regulations, and those in Southampton could still use Uber or Lyft to get to East Hampton—but getting a ride home would be the problem.

In April, the New York State budget placed ride-hailing apps under the control of the Department of Motor Vehicles—a state-operated department—thus removing any local regulations that would impact the apps.

At the earliest, the rule will go into effect by June 29.

• Summer in the Hamptons: Eleven Madison Park and Uber (Finally!) Are Coming to the East End [NY Times]
• Uber has been banned in East Hampton, and people are freaking out [Business Insider]
• Muffled in the Hamptons, Uber Makes Some Noise [NY Times]