In the spirit of civic self-congratulation, Austin resident Richard Parker writes about how the transportation network company giants canceled service after losing a referendum vote. He ascribes this victory to the city's enduring contrarian streak.
Earlier this month in Austin, Texas, voters struck down a measure that would exempt Uber and other transportation network companies from driver fingerprinting. Richard Parker writes that it became "a referendum on who is in the driver's seat (pun intended) when it comes to the public weal: new-economy powerhouses out to 'disrupt' society for fun and profit, or the people they're seeking to disrupt. In Austin, it wasn't even close."
When they lost the vote, Uber and Lyft quit the Texas capital two years after they arrived.
According to Parker, transportation network companies weren't always the public enemy they apparently became. In 2014, with the city full of young creatives, festival-goers, and other Uber-friendly types, transportation network companies seemed like "the perfect fit."
"But what [the companies] failed to appreciate was that Austin's long and storied counterculture wasn't just a marketing pose." Parker writes that many in Austin have resisted the city's transformation into a techie paradise just as hard as they fought Texas' prevailing conservative politics. Some even blamed the companies for worse traffic when drivers developed a habit of stopping mid-street to pick up customers.
He also clarifies that the decision to cut off service wasn't Austin's. "To be clear: The city never told Uber and Lyft to leave. But it did insist that they play by our rules and have drivers be fingerprinted, just like cabbies — particularly after the police investigated at least seven alleged sexual assaults by ride-share drivers in 2015."
FULL STORY: How Austin Beat Uber
State Legislation Forces Austin to Lift Ban on Lyft and Uber
A new Texas state law that regulates transportation network companies also overrides more restrictive local regulations, like Austin's requirement for fingerprinting drivers. Austin voters supported the tighter regulations at the ballot box last May.
Can Rideshare Catch On Where It's Easy to Drive?
In medium-sized cities and suburban areas, it's simply easier to drive your own car in most cases. But shared rides might still have a chance to catch on.
Tougher Background Checks for Massachusetts Uber, Lyft Drivers
The companies' agreement with Governor Charlie Baker's administration requires a state-run check in addition to the usual check through an independent contractor. Fingerprinting, however, will not be required.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.
From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service