4 ms·

Yeah, I go to austin a couple of times a year. I won't be going back without a lyft/uber replacement. Waiting 30+ minutes for a taxi and paying more than I wo

by toolz 10y ago

Yeah, I go to austin a couple of times a year. I won't be going back without a lyft/uber replacement. Waiting 30+ minutes for a taxi and paying more than I would for an uber/lyft is not an option I'm even close to considering. Austin has lost a ton of visitors with this move, I'm sure of it and your experience is not representative of any of the people I've met while in austin. Uber/Lyft is commonplace with everyone there who wants to have a few drinks on 6th.

ericabiz 10y ago
There are already several replacements. Fare, Get Me, Fasten, and a new non-profit called Ride Austin are all open (Ride Austin in limited beta, the others full speed ahead.) There's also Wingz if you want to pre-book airport rides. The first week or two was rough, but now it seems mostly OK.
- sanderjd 10y ago
  Similar to the current top comment: are these replacements following or planning to follow the new regulations? That seems to be the difference between this being, "there are safety concerns with these services that we are trying, in good faith, to regulate our way around", or being, "we don't like these huge arrogant companies coming and taking over our town". I'm super curious which it is, or how much of each it is.
  - SwellJoe 10y ago
    The new companies are following the regulations (though many of the rules don't actually go into effect until August; Uber/Lyft left because they threw a tantrum, not because anything actually immediately changed when their proposition failed). There are hundreds of cab, electric cab, and pedicab, drivers who all follow the rules. The rules may not be perfect, but they aren't particularly onerous, either. It's about $40 to get your fingerprint background check done. The rules have been in place for years for those other kinds of drivers. Uber/Lyft wanted special treatment...they wanted their competitors to keep playing by those rules, while they continued to be exempt from them.
    - sanderjd 10y ago
      Awesome, thanks for the background - sounds like things are working well, glad to hear it.
claystu 10y ago
If there really is a big demand for this service then something else will probably come along to fill that niche. I've personally never been to Austin, but I doubt the city is going to suffer any major decline in business because Uber and Lyft have left town.

by toolz 10y ago

ericabiz 10y ago

There are already several replacements. Fare, Get Me, Fasten, and a new non-profit called Ride Austin are all open (Ride Austin in limited beta, the others full speed ahead.) There's also Wingz if you want to pre-book airport rides. The first week or two was rough, but now it seems mostly OK.

sanderjd 10y ago
Similar to the current top comment: are these replacements following or planning to follow the new regulations? That seems to be the difference between this being, "there are safety concerns with these services that we are trying, in good faith, to regulate our way around", or being, "we don't like these huge arrogant companies coming and taking over our town". I'm super curious which it is, or how much of each it is.
- SwellJoe 10y ago
  The new companies are following the regulations (though many of the rules don't actually go into effect until August; Uber/Lyft left because they threw a tantrum, not because anything actually immediately changed when their proposition failed). There are hundreds of cab, electric cab, and pedicab, drivers who all follow the rules. The rules may not be perfect, but they aren't particularly onerous, either. It's about $40 to get your fingerprint background check done. The rules have been in place for years for those other kinds of drivers. Uber/Lyft wanted special treatment...they wanted their competitors to keep playing by those rules, while they continued to be exempt from them.
  - sanderjd 10y ago
    Awesome, thanks for the background - sounds like things are working well, glad to hear it.

claystu 10y ago

If there really is a big demand for this service then something else will probably come along to fill that niche. I've personally never been to Austin, but I doubt the city is going to suffer any major decline in business because Uber and Lyft have left town.