Back in August, when the anti-Uber ordinance sneakily made its way onto the city council’s consent agenda at the last minute, before it was removed, a number of Preston Hollow residents made clear their support for the innovative, app-based car service.
“My office received an onslaught of calls,” says District 13 Councilwoman Jennifer Staubach Gates. “They like the convenience of it. It makes it easier to meet people across town without taking two cars.”
The issue likely won’t get onto the transportation committee’s agenda until early next year, but in the meantime, Councilmembers Gates, Phillip Kingston, Adam Medrano and Scott Griggs have scheduled a town-hall meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4 at Arlington Hall at Lee Park to discuss transportation and transparency as it relates to the Uber debate at City Hall.
“The goal of the meeting is to answer questions and hear concerns from the community about these types of car services,” Gates says.
According to the Dallas Morning News, interim City Manager A.C. Gonzales, at Yellow Cab’s demand, reportedly tried to slip in a proposal that would make it much harder for services like Uber to operate — services that have been welcomed and successful in other major cities. Cab and limo companies here, however, argue that because a technology company like Uber is not subject to the same taxes and fees, that it could put traditional services out of business. The city council aims to reach a balance that can work for both sides.
Uber allows riders to call one of its signature cabs or SUVs using a smartphone. They also can pay (and split fares) with their smartphone, so it’s cashless. Similar services include Lyft and UberX. Rumors are circulating that even more of these companies are eying Dallas.
