Drivers from Uber and Lyft wore blue and pink T-shirts, respectively, to the Sept. 2 Mobility Committee meeting.[/caption]

Austin City Council is reviewing proposed changes to an ordinance governing transportation network companies such as Uber and Lyft that could level the playing field with other ground transportation providers.

Council Member Ann Kitchen, who chairs the Mobility Committee, said it is not the goal of council to promote one company over another but to protect the health and safety of the public.

“It’s time now after the pilot program that started last year to look at how we might put in place some improvements for our whole community from the perspective of our job, which is the health and safety of ground transportation, including TNCs and taxis, and to look at an equal playing field,” she said.

On Oct. 16, City Council approved the original ordinance permitting TNCs to operate in the city. Uber and Lyft representatives have lauded it as a model ordinance used to help other cities adopt similar regulations.

City Council’s Mobility Committee heard public testimony Sept. 2 on the proposed changes. Kitchen said the committee will have a policy discussion at the Oct. 7 meeting with representatives from Uber and Lyft and other stakeholders.

Uber representative Adam Blinick said he does not support changes that would restrict residents from becoming Uber drivers or using the service. About 49 percent of Uber trips in Austin begin or end in East Austin, an area he said is underserved by other modes of transportation, such as taxis.

“This ordinance is succeeding in allowing for Austinites to gain tremendous benefits, growing the local economy, improving transportation access for all and reducing drunk driving,” Blinick said.

Veronica Juarez, director of government relations for Lyft, said she commends the city in taking steps toward building a regulatory framework to create an environment to meet demand for more transportation options. She said the company would be cooperative in the discussion process on the proposed changes.

“We are committed to public safety like [the city] because it’s in our best interest that anybody that’s using ridesharing service has a consistent and safe experience,” she said.

Amending the ordinance

The proposed changes include requiring a criminal background check with fingerprinting for TNC drivers as well as requiring those drivers to obtain a chauffer’s license and vehicle inspections. The proposed changes also would add a $1 trip fee.

Regarding accessibility for passengers with disabilities, TNCs would be required to have 6.5 percent of their vehicle fleet to be wheelchair accessible as well as report progress for meeting accessibility requirements, under the proposed changes.

Resident Jennifer McPhail—who represented ADAPT Texas, which advocates for the rights of residents with disabilities—said she applauds Uber for its accessible vehicles but noted work still needs to be done to offer people with disabilities comparable service.

“We’re really glad Uber has rolled out its service and it’s good to hear they’re able to pick up people [with disabilities] in 14 minutes, but that’s not comparable to the community,” McPhail said.

Several taxicab drivers spoke in favor of the city’s proposed changes, including Dave Passmore, representing the Taxi Drivers Association of Austin. Passmore said he agrees with some of the proposed changes but would like to sit down with city staff to discuss other changes and how those might affect a driver’s income.

“We should take into consideration these things in the long term rather than trying to bundle a group of recommendations and say, ‘This is what they are going to be,’” Passmore said. “There has to be an ongoing investigation into this.”

Small-business owner Joe Garcia said he does not see how the proposed changes would reverse any progress Uber and Lyft have made. He said he has lost some of his drivers to the two companies because it is easier to become a TNC driver.

“[The changes are] about the safety of our citizens,” he said. “I’m not trying to run them away. Let’s just make it fair for everybody.”