Since 2009, Uber has changed the way we view travel. Companies such as Uber and Lyft have allowed for a safe way to get from place to place, and an alternative to taxis. Being from Austin myself, taxis are not as common of a way to get around as they are in other cities such as New York City, so Uber was my go to. On weekends of SXSW or ACL, Uber and Lyft were what the majority of people used to get around. Rates went up, and a great deal of revenue was brought into the city. Especially since Austin is in a college town, I know how frequently college students use ridesharing as a way to refrain from drinking and driving, and avoid the parking mess that is present at most universities. Now that Uber and Lyft have chosen to withdraw their services from the city, Austin is searching for alternative ways for its citizens to get around safely.
As of Monday, May 9, Uber and Lyft decided to leave Austin, Texas. The proposition that fought against requiring Uber and Lyft drivers to undergo fingerprint testing and criminal background checks for all drivers was overruled by a 55.81 percent to 44.19 percent margin.
Chelsea Wilson, a representative of Lyft, made a public statement saying, "The rules passed by City Council don't allow true ridesharing to operate. Instead, they make it harder for part-time drivers, the heart of Lyft's peer-to-peer model, to get on the road and harder for passengers to get a ride." Both companies argued that the screening they do is actually a better safety check instead of fingerprinting. These companies are stressing now that they are pulled out of the city, the employees who relied on driving as a part-time income will now have to search for another way to support themselves. The income these corporations brought into the city will now cease, and drinking and driving will become a more viable option.
Now that two of the biggest ridesharing corporations have left the city, it leaves a void for other companies to fill. Kvue News Austin released a list of viable options for Austinites to use in replace of Uber and Lyft. "Get Me" is an app that allows users to request rides within the city, and Capital Metro is a cheaper way to travel in and out of the city. Also, there is Hailcab Austin, which features the traditional way of getting around the city, a yellow cab.
Personally, I see both sides of the argument. The loss of Uber and Lyft has the potential to be detrimental, however, I would not be opposed to stricter requirements for drivers. The website "whosdrivingyou.org" keeps a comprehensive list of Uber and Lyft drivers charged with negligence, assault, DUI's, and deaths that occurred in the vehicles. These companies make a large source of their profit from college towns and driving around students who may be intoxicated. Personally I know of girls who have taken rides home under the influence, and if an extra background check is what makes the difference in preventing an assault, then I am in full support of this new regulation.
As time passes we will be able to see these repercussions of Uber and Lyft's disappearance, and the companies will have the chance to decide if losing Austin is really worth it. When music festival season hits, I feel it will be a huge indicator on if this current situation will change. On the other hand, Austin may decide it was not worth losing these companies and may choose to repeal the regulation if drinking and driving begins to increase. Other cities such as Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco all have talked of proposing the fingerprint idea, and in Houston the fingerprinting requirement is already in place. Lyft has already decided to leave Houston, and there is a threat that Uber will shortly do the same.
What is the cost of keeping our city's citizens safe? Is it worth spending extra money on these background checks, or do we just trust the system already in place? There will forever be "what if" situations, and there will always be more that could be done to keep our beloved city safer. Both sides have very valid and real arguments and the way this dilemma plays out will be an example for other cities considering this same idea. I am in full support of Uber and Lyft drivers, because honestly the fact that they can tolerate some of us obnoxious college students is a miracle all in its own. I've been in an Uber where they played "Tom & Jerry" in the car, and there is always the awesome ones who give out candy and mints during their trips. I will miss these companies in the city, but time will tell how long Austin can go without these ridesharing opportunities.
