Uber, Lyft Stop Austin Service After May 7th Election

No more rideshares in Austin.

The popular ridesharing services Uber and Lyft have ceased operations within the city limits after the failure of Proposition 1 on the May 7th ballot. The failed proposition would have softened some city regulations, including mandatory fingerprint background checks for drivers.

Both Lyft and Uber say that they will continue to fight for ridesharing in Austin, but talks between either company and the city seem to be futile. A representative for Uber would not state whether the company is in talks with city leaders, but said they look forward to future conversations with the city and “are open to working with elected officials who are interested in modernizing the city’s regulations for ridesharing.”

Although Uber and Lyft are no longer operating in Austin, those outside the city can still take advantage of the ridesharing services. As long as the ride did not originate within the city limits, drivers can take passengers through the city and into the downtown area. There are also a few other ridesharing companies looking to fill the void, such as Dallas-based GetMe and Phoenix-based Fare. Both apps are currently operating within the city and require fingerprint background checks for all of their drivers. Another ridesharing service called Fasten, out of Boston, is also expected to launch this month.

So while Uber and Lyft are no longer operating in Austin, there are quite a few options for those looking to get home safely. Safety on the road, whether behind the wheel or as a passenger, is our top concern at TK Injury Lawyers. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, it’s extremely important to contact Austin Car Accident Attorney immediately in order to preserve certain legal rights. Call us today at 512-910-2000 for a free consultation and case evaluation.