Late last week, voters failed to pass Proposition 1, which would have overturned a previous bill requiring fingerprint-style background checks for rideshare drivers. GetMe officials have repeatedly said they would stay in Austin regardless of the outcome of Proposition 1, which voters rejected on Saturday.
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Campaign signs concerning a municipal vote over fingerprint requirements for ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Lyft are seen along a roadway in Austin, Texas, May 6, 2016. Specifically, drivers for the companies will have to eventually undergo background checks with fingerprints, display the company they are driving for in their vehicles, and won’t be able to stop in traffic lanes to pick up and drop off passengers.
Lyft and Uber followed through on their promise of suspending service in Austin.
Lyft stopped operations at 5 a.m. this morning and Uber did the same beginning at 8 a.m.
Uber said it hopes the City council in Austin would reconsider the ordinance. Much to the dislike of Uber & Lyft, the Austin election could set a precedent for other USA or even non-US cities encouraging other cities also to ask for fingerprint based criminal background checks. (The companies can still operate outside Austin city limits, so some drivers said they would continue to drive in the suburbs.) Haymond said he’ll do this until Lyft and the city come to an agreement – which he’s hopeful that they will soon.
Both companies used a roster of lobbying tactics which have served them well in other jurisdictions, calling on their rider base to support them in the polls and warning that a loss may result in the end of services in the city. Uber then provides a link to contact the Austin City Council. The companies returned months later under a program that made fingerprinting voluntary. Meanwhile Uber drivers here have said they are OK with extra background checks. Two took place in an “Independent Ride Share”, according to the documents; five happened in taxis; and the remaining 20 occurred during Uber and Lyft rides.
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The group fighting against Uber and Lyft said the large amounts of money spent on the case shows that the corporations care more about their profits than the safety of their customers. In the most disturbing driver incident to date, an Uber driver in MI allegedly killed six people during an all-night shooting spree in February.
