LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) _ The ridesharing service Uber has won permission to legally operate in Nebraska.

On Tuesday the state Public Service Commission approved Uber’s application.

Uber submitted its application in June. Its competitor Lyft began the application process this week.

Under a law passed by the Legislature in May, ridesharing companies must be licensed by the commission.

The companies use smartphone applications to link motorists and people who would pay for rides. Passengers pay through the app and can even tip electronically.

Uber and Lyft are based in San Francisco.