Uber: Ban on upstate NY rides causes holiday frustration

Uber says more than 43,000 New Yorkers opened its app in upstate New York on Thanksgiving eve — but couldn't order a car because of a state law prohibiting the ride-hailing service from operating outside of New York City.

The company said Monday that the number of people who tried to use its service upstate shows why lawmakers should allow Uber to expand into cities like Albany, Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo.

Uber's general manager for New York Josh Mohrer says upstate visitors and residents are now missing out on a reliable transportation option that can reduce drunken driving during the holiday season.

The taxi industry is fighting the expansion, arguing that Uber isn't held to the same standards as cabs.