DEPARTMENT: Police Department; Aviation Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Chief William McManus; Noel T. Jones, Director, Aviation
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Briefing on proposed amendments to City Code Chapter 33 (Vehicles for Hire) and the Operating Agreements with Transportation Network Companies
SUMMARY:
In June 2016, the Transportation Network Company (TNC) agreements were extended through October 31, 2016. City staff are working with the TNC companies to develop a modified operating agreement for the TNCs and with the taxicab and limousine industries to make changes to Chapter 33.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Transportation Network Companies:
In August 2015, City Council approved a temporary operating agreement allowing Rideshare companies the ability to operate for a nine-month period outside of the Vehicle for Hire, Chapter 33 Ordinance. There are currently three TNCs operating in San Antonio: Uber, Lyft and GetMe. In June 2016, City Council extended all three temporary operating agreements to October 31, 2016.
Since the Rideshares re-launched their operations in San Antonio, the SAPD Ground Transportation Unit (GTU) has received 339 applications for the voluntary fingerprint background check across all companies, 248 drivers have completed the process and 215 drivers have picked up their verification cards with an assigned "T" number (as of 10/6/16). GTU has also conducted 229 quality assurance rides with the TNCs without any major findings.
SAPD and Government & Public Affairs Department held two round table discussions with members of the public on May 18 and June 1, 2016, with approximately 215 members of the public in attendance. The three main takeaways from the round table discussions are 1) that the community wants to maintain a "choice" in ground transportation options, 2) there is no consensus on whether drivers should be fingerprinted or just back-grounded, and 3) there should be a more level playing field betw...
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