RALEIGH COUNTY, W. Va. (WVNS) — Catching a ride is now as easy as pushing a few buttons on your phone. 

Last year, West Virginia lawmakers decided to approve ride sharing services including Uber. 

Since then, Uber has only been operating in a few cities in West Virginia but this week Uber announced they will now be offering services through the state including Southern West Virginia. 

Many people in the area said they’re excited for Uber to offer its services to the area. 

“I’m sure it will help the community, so I think it will be a win-win situation. I’m just glad it’s coming,” Vickie Hancock, who lives in Beckley, said. 

“I prefer it be in our area, I feel like that it’s a better service than your normal taxi services because my brother, he used to get a taxi service every now and then, and they used to never show up on time- they were always late for whatever he was doing.  I feel like Uber’s are a lot quicker than taxi services,” local resident, Ashaun Watlington, said. 

This expansion also means additional jobs throughout the area.

“Now that the college students are here it may incorporate jobs for them too,” Hancock, said. 

Uber said that at first, wait times in the area may be longer than usual. The company says it is making sure everyone who needs a ride get one.