Uber will be an official partner for the Democratic National Convention but won’t serve a similar function at the Republican convention in Cleveland.
The partnership with the DNC will allow certain notable attendees selected by the party to use the Uber app to hail a ride from a convention volunteer in the event’s fleet of rental cars, rather than from one of Uber’s drivers.
{mosads}The company was unable to come to a similar deal with Republicans but continues to work with the party, a spokesperson said. Uber’s Niki Christoff said that the “service will be widely available in Cleveland in cooperation with the Republican staff.”
“As anyone that has attended a national political convention in the past can attest, transportation can be challenging when thousands of convention goers, media, and political leaders descend on host cities,” said Christoff in a post. “So for the past few months we’ve been working with convention planners to ensure that we are continuing to offer reliable and affordable rides in both Cleveland and Philadelphia.”
In both cities, the company will sponsor “lounges” for riders to grab snacks and drinks and charge their mobile devices. Tech companies have used venues during the 2016 election — like the primary debates — to raise their profile with major party figures and journalists.
But the company’s lack of formal partnership with the Republican Party comes after Apple decided not to participate in the convention because of the party’s bombastic presumptive nominee, Donald Trump. Other major tech companies will be involved with the convention this year.
Republicans have also long hailed Uber as a great example of American innovation that could be hindered by over-regulation.