Uber gets the green light to hit the streets of N.L.

Uber is set to hit the streets of Newfoundland and Labrador in the coming weeks but questions linger over exactly where it will be in service.

On Tuesday morning, the provincial government announced it hadgranted a ride-hailing service licence to the global giant.

"It is our first time in the province so we haven't quite determined our exact service area yet," spokesperson Keerthana Rang told CBC News.

The service areawill be settled by the time Uber is ready to launch, she said, adding thearea willbe determined by the number of drivers who sign upand where they are located.

Rang also said they don't have an exact launch date but it should be by the end of the month.

LISTEN | Uber spokesperson Keerthana Rang talks about the ride-hailing platform coming to Newfoundland and Labrador:

On The Go8:28Uber comes to NL

The world's ride share giant is looking for drivers who are ready to roll as Uber comes to Newfoundland and Labrador. We speak with a corporate communications lead for Uber Canada. (Anthony Germain with Keerthana Rang)

Uber is currently recruiting drivers, but Rangsaid they don't have a set numberthey want booked on the app.

"There's no real magic number, but for us to comfortably launch, we want to make sure that we feel that there are a number of drivers who have signed up but also are on their way to signing up," she said.

The more drivers they have booked on the Uber platform, the better the experienceriders will have because of lower wait times, said Rang.

The first few weeks after a launch tend to be challenging, said Rang, with higher wait times compared with other cities where Uber is established.

"There's always growing pains in the first few weeks," she said.

Safety measures in app

Rang said Uber drivers need to have a Class 4driver's licence, have undergone a criminal record and judicial matters check, have proof of insurance and provide a vehicle inspection certificate to the company.

"The great thing about the criminal record check is that it looks at the national database containing criminal convictions and even any pending criminal charges that have not yet concluded. And so it's pretty rigorous," said Rang.

There are also app features that add an additional layer of safety for users, like being able to share a location with someone and also follow the driving route. As well,the app notices if the car has been idle for too long and will check in. If someone doesn't respond, Uber notifies law enforcement.

Uber prices are also affordable, said Rang. People can use Uber X Share, which allows themto carpool to share costs.

Surge pricing, used when there is more demand for rides than there are drivers, raises the cost.

Jiffy Cabs owner Chris Hollett has been a vocal critic of ride-hailing companies and has criticized the provincial government for easing the way for them to enter the local market.

Rang said Uber operates in many cities and has been able to coexist with taxi companies. She said in Winnipeg it was found that when there are more transportation options, from taxis to ride-hailing apps, people leave their vehicles at home.

"By giving residents more transportation options outside of that private car ownership, we're seeing that the overall market is expanding for everyone," she said.

Uber is one companywith drivers who operate under the gig economy, criticized becauseworkers don't have job security or benefits likepension or health insurance.

Rang said people are attracted to gig work, which includes Uber, because it offers "unparalleled flexibility that you can't get anywhere else."

She said people can drive whenever and wherever they want.

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