Coalition launches TNC petition drive

Yesterday, a coalition that includes TechNet, Austin Music People and ATX Safer Streets announced that it has formed a new political action committee named “Ridesharing Works for Austin.” In a press release, the PAC explained that it intends to collect 30,000 signatures in order to adopt the previous incarnation of transportation network company rules in a permanent city ordinance that would replace the more recent ordinance approved by City Council in December. The coalition estimates that it will take about 60 days to gather the signatures. Once 20,000 signatures have been validated, Council must either adopt the ordinance as law or call for a public vote on the ordinance during the next election. According to the coalition’s statement to the press, “Caroline Joiner of TechNet will serve as treasurer of the Ridesharing Works for Austin committee. She said other community groups will be asked to join the coalition over the coming weeks, and confirmed that rideshare companies Uber and Lyft will play a role in helping mount the petition drive. ‘We are looking to the broader Austin community, including rideshare companies, drivers, riders, and other local groups to help us reach our goal,’ said Joiner.”