Responding to Myriam’s “Transportation Networking Companies:
Yes!”. I hear you, girl!
https://thegovernementtoday.blogspot.com/
https://thegovernementtoday.blogspot.com/
Ridesharing has become a fundamental part of our everyday life.
I no longer have to call a cab companies dispatch service (you know, the ones
who never smile through the phone), request a cab that will take 30 minutes to
an hour (with a driver who is as equally rude as its dispatcher) and question
how much my terrible “costumer service” based experience is going to cost. Cab
companies are notorious for ripping off their customers. My friend fell asleep
in a cab one time. The driver never woke her once they reached her destination.
When she did wake, the total cost was $115… for a 3-mile cab ride! He
threatened to have her arrested if she didn’t pay. I have never had a good
experience with cabs. I’ve had my fare rejected many times just because my
destination wasn’t far enough. They do not care about customer service or
safety. Once, after arriving home from a trip I walked up to the next cab in
line at the airport to be taken home. The cabby was sleeping and when he woke
it was clear from the stench on his breath that he was drunk. I declined his
cab only to be told I had to use him because he was next in the line. They
claimed it was proper cab “etiquette”. Seriously? No, thank you.
Uber and Lyft have no doubt reduced the dangers of drinking
and driving in this city. The city claims this special election (which is
costing millions) is all about fingerprinting drivers and keeping the city
council in control of Austin’s safety. It’s bullshit. As one Austin Statesman
commenter pointed out, “taxi corporations flow campaign money to the city
council”. Who really gets the short end of the stick from rideshare companies?
It’s not the citizens of Austin. It’s the cab companies. Their businesses are
dying, fast. They are losing money left and right, and they have called upon their
good friend councilwoman Ann Kitchen, who chairs on the transportation committee.
Did I mention cab companies are big city council contributors? Huh, curious.
Lyft and Uber have spent $2.2 million in their “Vote FOR
Prop 1!” campaign. Some view this as a large corporation misleading the
community of Austin. I disagree. Don’t get me wrong, I hate when corporations
have all the power. However, Uber and Lyft have made it pretty clear they WILL
NOT operate in city’s that require government run fingerprinting, and for good
reason. This statement is not an empty threat, nor a bullying tactic. It is
gospel truth. Uber left San Antonio for a brief period when a similar ordinance
was passed. Shortly after their retreat the city amended the regulations and
Uber returned.
Uber and Lyft’s background checks are nationwide. The city council
has issued at least 53 chauffeurs licenses to people who actually failed Uber’s
background checks and were denied employment as a rideshare driver. That is
crazy! The city really knows best, huh? Please.
Uber and Lyft’s regulations are firm and tedious. They offer
real time GPS tracking to a rider’s friends and family to ensure their loved ones
reach their destinations safely. Drivers AND riders can rate each other after
trips. Uber uses these ratings to determine if a driver or rider can continue
to use its services or continue employment.
Also, For Prop 1! campaign ads claim taxpayers will front
the bill if prop 1 is shot down. This is actually false. The city will actually
charge a fee to the companies and its drivers to pay these costs. I don’t see
this as a good thing either. I see it as another way for the city to acclimate
more money for their agendas. Dare I also say they may be losing a lot of jingle
through the decline in DUI’S? That’s another theory, for different time. VOTE
FOR PROP 1 TOMORROW! Help keep ridesharing safe and affordable!
