Uber adds more than 11K drivers on Chicago's South, West sides

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The rideshare company Uber announced that there are more than 11,000 new drivers rolling through Chicago's South and West sides.

It started with a recruiting initiative nine months ago to sign up 10,000 new drivers in a year. Uber surpassed its goal in less time.

"Whether it's Austin or Englewood, you're looking at an average wait time of four minutes. And when you consider the fact that Uber wasn't around just a few years ago, it's a pretty cool thing," said Marco McCottry, Uber's general manager in Chicago.

To date, the new drivers have earned more than $13 million on the Uber platform.