A rideshare pilot program that would allow transportation network
companies (TNCs) Uber and Lyft to operate in San Antonio is currently
being developed by City and TNC officials. Members of both teams are
optimistic that a deal will be reached and voted on by City Council this
summer, but questions about background check legitimacy still loom over
the process.
Meanwhile, the Lone Star Rail District (LSRD) is also preparing to go before City Council some time in September to seek financial backing for the commuter rail line and freight rail relocation
between San Antonio and Austin. The biggest obstacle for the $2-3
billion LSRD projects is just that – funding – and so far, San Antonio
is one of the last major cities along the proposed route that has not
made an agreement to contribute to the cost.
As SA Tomorrow, the city’s massive long-term planning initiative, is collecting public input for its Multimodal Transportation Plan, San
Antonio is abuzz with talk of transportation from high-speed mass
transit to bicycle infrastructure as the city attempts to plan for and
estimated influx of 1 million new residents by 2040.
SA Next attendees enjoy Alamo Beer and other refreshments before the event. Photo by Iris Dimmick.
Manager Eddie Martinez together Thursday night to discuss their
respective modes of transportation and how they will, ultimately, play
parts in San Antonio’s transportation strategy.
City to Discuss Rideshare Pilot on Aug. 13
The event space at Geekdom eruptedwith applause when Carr said he was glad to be back in town. Rideshare
companies ceased operations in San Antonio when a new ordinance went
into effect in April that Uber and Lyft representatives said were too
onerous to comply with. Uber’s ride-hailing mobile application has since
been activated in suburban cities like Windcrest, Alamo Heights, Olmos
Park, and Hollywood Park. Lyft’s app is closed in all of Bexar County.
“We’re working hard to figure out a deal,” Carr said after his
presentation. “We’re helping (Mayor Ivy Taylor) as much as we can.”
In June, Mayor Taylor asked
City Manager Sheryl Sculley, staff, and Councilmember Roberto Treviño
to develop the framework for operating agreements that would allow TNCs
to operate for a pilot period.
The main hang up in current negotiations is the issue of background
checks. The City officials, including the San Antonio Police Department,
want fingerprint background checks performed before a driver, who drive
their personal vehicles, picks up a fare. Uber and Lyft representatives
say that those would be redundant to their own third-party background
checks.
“Uber’s smartphone app already includes safety features that protect
riders and driver partners before, during and after a trip in ways that
others cannot,” Uber spokesperson Debbee Hancock stated in an email.
As a compromise, Uber confirmed that the City has proposed that
drivers have the option of taking the City’s background check and be
rewarded with recognition of this extra check on their profile for
riders to see. Hancock said Uber would not accept such an agreement.
“We have made a lot of progress in our discussions with the city, but
this is one proposal we cannot accept because it will do nothing to
enhance public safety. We are hopeful we can finalize an agreement in
the near future that incorporates all the other safety initiatives we
have developed with the city,” she stated.
However, talks have not broken down.
“The bottom line is they want to be here and we want them here,”
Treviño said. While he declined to comment on negotiation details, he
was confident that an agreement will be made soon.”We’re working within
the framework to find something fair for all rideshare companies (not
just Uber).”
Lone Star Rail District to Get Council Consideration in September
LSRD Rail Director Joseph Black talks about the $2-3 billion commuter rail project. Photo by Iris Dimmick.
(the LSTAR) between San Antonio and Austin, the City takes serious pause
when confronted with the yearly costs of operation and maintenance.
But there are no tax or fee increases on the table, Black explained.
“And we have not asked any city to make a dollar commitment.”
Instead, LSRD has been working with municipalities to form
Transportation Infrastructure Zones (TIZ) unique to each city. The zone
would establish a perimeter around each station – there are five
proposed so far in San Antonio – and a percentage of property tax
increases within the zone would go directly towards LSRD’s operation and
maintenance costs.
Where are these property tax increases coming from? The stations
themselves, as the property value surrounding them will, almost
certainly, rise as the amenity comes to the neighborhood. Most
agreements, like the one with San Marcos, also includes a sales tax
revenue contribution. Austin City Council approved a 56-year agreement, with commitment stipulations, in December 2013.
LSRD is currently working with City staff on an agreement unique to
San Antonio, but will likely have the same elements of agreements with
other cities, Black said. The cities of Kyle, Buda, and Round Rock have
yet to draft final agreements. Georgetown, New Braunfels, and Shertz
city councils will likely vote on final agreements in August. Once local
agreements are met, LSRD will be hunting for investment from federal,
state, and private entities to foot the $2-3 billion bill for the
commuter and freight lines. Once the Environmental Impact Statements are
complete, and the new freight line relocation is complete, then work
can begin on the commuter rail.
If all goes as planned, Black said, the LSTAR will begin trips in 2021 or 2022 – about 17 years in the making.
Interstate 35 is one of the most congested interstate segments in the
U.S., most of which is because of commuter and truck traffic. About 80%
of Mexico’s trade with the U.S. and Canada comes through the bottleneck
on I-35. More than 9,000 accidents occur between San Antonio and
Georgetown, the LSTAR’s northernmost stop, resulting in about 100 deaths
per year.
“The LSTAR could provide the
(transportation) equivalent of eight additional highway lanes (four
lanes in each direction),” Black said. “The space implications are huge —
moving more vehicles isn’t going to do it, we have to move people.”
The 118-mile commuter line would
utilize existing Union Pacific lines, but not until after a new freight
line is constructed in the east – a critical step for the LSTAR
operation. While local freight will still use the old line through San
Antonio, regional freight will be diverted to the new line, freeing up
time and space for the LSTAR to provide reliable, frequent trips.
We use the word “commuter line” to generally describe the LSTAR, but
passengers will also be using it to get to events: Austinites to a Spurs
game, San Antonians to SXSW, Texas State University students to a
lecture at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Between UTSA, TSU, the Texas A&M University system, and community
colleges, thousands of students would be connected to a network of
higher education and job opportunities.
Black said there will also be consideration for bicycles on the
LSTAR. Connecting the stations to transportation options that complete
that “first mile/last mile” portion of travel – like bikes, bikeshare,
rideshare, or bus transit to get to final destinations.
Bike
World Manager Eddie Martinez talks about the need for bike safety
awareness and infrastructure in San Antonio. Photo by Iris Dimmick
routes. Take a San Antonio B-cycle from your neighborhood to the
downtown LSTAR station, ride to Austin, take a cab to a concert, take an
Uber back, catch the LSTAR back in time for a good night’s sleep.
“This lecture series is something we’re very proud of because it has
always been part of our dream to go beyond buildings,” said BSAG
Executive Director Anita Ledbetter. BSAG partnered with CPS Energy,
Alamo Beer, Geekdom, Do210, and Local 782 for the new urbanism series.
This is the third SA Next event and more are planned for the rest of the
year.
“There’s not going to be one (environmental) solution, we all need
options,” Ledbetter said. “We wanted to provide a platform for them
all.”
*Featured/top image: Uber San Antonio General Manager Henry Carr
(right) speaks as LSRD Rail Director Joseph Black (left), and Bike World
Manager Eddie Martinez look on. Photo by Iris Dimmick.
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