If you were to visit Austin in the past few days, you would be forgiven for thinking the world had ended. You see, ride-share companies Uber and Lyft packed up and left, and Austin has apparently ceased to function.
As Uber and Lyft become the default, cities without it seem backward. https://t.co/w5op5llHfM
— Paul Graham (@paulg) May 15, 2016
Despite a multi-million dollar campaign in its favor, Austinites voted down Proposition One, which would have let Uber, Lyft, and similar companies, operate under less stringent rules. You can read more about the issue, the vote, and the results in this excellent article by Joshua Baer.
Many say this was an arm wrestling match between big tech companies and municipal officials over who gets to dictate the rules. Uber and Lyft did not get their way, and decided not to bend their businesses to fit the city’s requirements. As a business, that’s their choice. But it can’t be said that Austin won this one. Hundreds of drivers are now unemployed, thousands of people are not getting around town, and there is money not being spent in the local economy. Possibly lots of it.
Austin bars feel pinch from missing @Uber and @Lyft passengers. 20% drop in WoW sales! https://t.co/M4IWW6o2oP @m2jr @paulg @pmarca
— Richard Bagdonas (@richardbagdonas) May 17, 2016
It may seem like a trivial thing, but many locals are up in arms over the unintended consequences: Students who relied on the services to get to and from classes at UT Austin; Disabled with no other transportation to the store or doctor. Many say that, while the intent was to make riders safer, the streets are less safe as people choose to drive themselves home from the famous Sixth Street bars and clubs in various states of inebriation. And throngs of visitors are getting stuck at the airport or hotel, sometimes for hours, waiting for a taxi.
There are zero taxis @AUStinAirport right now. Missing @Uber_ATX and @lyft what a joke of a city #atx #ATXTraffic pic.twitter.com/PDZV7VdTCr
— SS (@stampchez) May 14, 2016
In the age of Social Media, word of Austin’s issues spread like a wildfire through tumbleweeds. While Austinites expressed their frustration, it led outsiders to ponder their travel plans. Suddenly, Austin was off the map for some.
@paulg @stampchez @AUStinAirport my family has already taken ATX off of our summer vaca short list. Too much friction w/o @Uber_ATX @lyft
— Abricate (@nofjustabricate) May 15, 2016
Looking at our own travels since rideshare services blossomed, almost all of our spending on transportation at a destination has shifted to Uber instead of taxis and rental cars. We rely on the service to get where we need to go when we need to be there. But would we avoid a city because Uber or Lyft don’t operate there? There is a trip to Austin on our calendar, which we cannot cancel, but would we if we could, knowing that Uber is not an option?
Our answer is no. Absence of ride-sharing won’t keep us from visiting someplace, and there are plenty of places without ridesharing around the world. However, it will change what we do and how we spend our money in those cities. One of the key benefits of ridesharing is the lower price. More money on taxis means less money spent in the restaurants, hotels, clubs and attractions in town. And the effect may be even more profound. On principle, I’m not spending $20 to get to a discretionary location – meaning, if I don’t HAVE to go, I won’t. That money is staying in my pocket now, along with whatever I might have spent once I got there.
Insane. Taxi line at Austin airport @JoshuaBaer @MayorAdler pic.twitter.com/lIdEcvjveG
— Kyle Samani (@kylesamani) May 17, 2016
Another great benefit is the immediate and impromptu nature of rideshare apps. Need a ride? No problem, let’s just Uber it. No Uber means research, calling a cab – which can be hit or miss in terms of timing – or planning around public transit schedules. Sometimes, it’s easier to just stay where you are.
My first reaction to the idea of visiting Austin is "How would I get around?"
— Paul Graham (@paulg) May 15, 2016
What about you? If a city loses Uber/Lyft, do they lose your business too? Does the absence of rideshare services change your travel spending habits? And who, exactly, did Uber execs call for a (ahem) Lyft to the airport?
