The ongoing battle between Austin taxi and ridesharing services may come to a head Sept. 25.
Councilman Chris Riley introduced a resolution Sept. 15 that would legalize the operations and set regulations for transportation network companies, also referred to as TNCs—companies that connect passengers with drivers using websites, apps or social media—such as Uber and Lyft.
"If we can bring these companies into the legal fold along with any others who meet our safety standard, we can learn a lot about what they're doing and how they're doing it, and we can make more informed decisions about a longer-term set of recommendations," Riley said.
The resolution will most likely be put to a vote at the Sept. 25 council meeting. The proposal brought forward by Riley was never introduced to the informal group tasked with reviewing ridesharing regulations, according to Billy Carter, a TNC working group member and president of SuperShuttle, a nationwide airport shuttle ridesharing service.
But other members of the working group have voiced concerns, Riley said, that enough progress is not being made to more immediately implement TNC standards and regulations. Transportation and safe-parking advocacy group ATX Safer Streets also launched a petition Aug. 28 calling for swifter action to making such ridesharing options legal in Austin.
If put into law, Riley's proposal would require TNCs to have insurance coverage, run background checks on drivers, ensure drivers make riders aware of compensation costs before the trip and provide Americans with Disabilities Act–compliant rides.
Cab and limousine drivers were on hand during Riley's news conference to emphasize they welcome competition and are not against the ridesharing groups operating legally in Austin. However, they said they will not stand with the resolution because the proper steps and studies have not been completed.
Austin Police Association President Wayne Vincent said his union supports the measure because it will stop the "waste of resources" that is currently happening when officers are required to enforce existing laws that prohibit services such as Uber and Lyft.
"Safety of the public in using those transportation systems is of utmost concern to us," Vincent said. "The fact that this addresses background checks, identification of drivers, those kind of things alleviates our concern about the safety of the public."
