Pedicab Regulation: Is It Fare?
The pedicab industry in Austin may be about to face some new regulation. The bike-powered cart contraption favored by tourists and downtown revelers alike has become an Austin staple in the past few years.
Austin’s pedicab fleet, which has nearly tripled since 2007, bringing the number of individual pedicab drivers to almost 200, currently operates under a sort of self-governing system. Unlike cab drivers who use a universal fare to measure each trip, pedicabs choose instead to allow the patrons to pay what they believe is fair (or fare).
According to the Austin Business Journal, Austin is proposing a $2 per-intersection fee to be applied to all pedicab rides. In an interview with the ABJ, Steve Smajstrla, owner of Heart of Texas Pedicab said, "It is ridiculous. There would be no way to enforce that." But those in support of the possible regulation argue that a universal fare would keep dishonest pedicab drivers from swindling their customers.
Austin will determine if regulation of pedicabs is necessary by first looking at current rules in other pedicab friendly cities. They expect to have a final decision in six months.
Austin’s pedicab fleet, which has nearly tripled since 2007, bringing the number of individual pedicab drivers to almost 200, currently operates under a sort of self-governing system. Unlike cab drivers who use a universal fare to measure each trip, pedicabs choose instead to allow the patrons to pay what they believe is fair (or fare).
According to the Austin Business Journal, Austin is proposing a $2 per-intersection fee to be applied to all pedicab rides. In an interview with the ABJ, Steve Smajstrla, owner of Heart of Texas Pedicab said, "It is ridiculous. There would be no way to enforce that." But those in support of the possible regulation argue that a universal fare would keep dishonest pedicab drivers from swindling their customers.
Austin will determine if regulation of pedicabs is necessary by first looking at current rules in other pedicab friendly cities. They expect to have a final decision in six months.
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