Antone's Nightclub
Safer Service
RECEIVED Tue., April 19, 2016
Dear Editor,
When the supposed "safety" argument began, my understanding was that taxi drivers were only subject to a TxDOT fingerprint/background check that did not involve all 50 states, while TNCs did a commercial background check that did involve all 50 states. I also understood that Ann Kitchen (and other council members) originally wanted the TNCs to adopt the TxDOT background check. Somewhere along the way it appears that the demand changed from a TxDOT to an FBI background check. I am unclear now what type of background check the taxi drivers originally had in place, whether that has changed, or are they also being asked to change from TxDOT to FBI? Perhaps the Chronicle can clarify these details for the public’s interest?
Why does the Chronicle and most of the City Council appear to ignore the ways that TNCs are safer than taxis? If I take a TNC, there is a third party (through the app) that knows who I am, who the driver is, where we are, and the exact time frame that we are riding together. This is not the case with taking taxis; therefore, I feel TNCs offer a safer service. Is pressure being exerted on taxi companies to change their outdated model for the sake of public safety? If so, I haven't heard about it.
TNCs have been so successful because their services have vastly improved an outdated model. Of course further improvements can be made for all parties concerned including drivers (both taxi and TNCs). Won't the Chronicle take a more thorough, unbiased look at the whole picture?
Note that this issue is nothing compared to the ones down the road (excuse the pun) if driverless cars become a reality!
When the supposed "safety" argument began, my understanding was that taxi drivers were only subject to a TxDOT fingerprint/background check that did not involve all 50 states, while TNCs did a commercial background check that did involve all 50 states. I also understood that Ann Kitchen (and other council members) originally wanted the TNCs to adopt the TxDOT background check. Somewhere along the way it appears that the demand changed from a TxDOT to an FBI background check. I am unclear now what type of background check the taxi drivers originally had in place, whether that has changed, or are they also being asked to change from TxDOT to FBI? Perhaps the Chronicle can clarify these details for the public’s interest?
Why does the Chronicle and most of the City Council appear to ignore the ways that TNCs are safer than taxis? If I take a TNC, there is a third party (through the app) that knows who I am, who the driver is, where we are, and the exact time frame that we are riding together. This is not the case with taking taxis; therefore, I feel TNCs offer a safer service. Is pressure being exerted on taxi companies to change their outdated model for the sake of public safety? If so, I haven't heard about it.
TNCs have been so successful because their services have vastly improved an outdated model. Of course further improvements can be made for all parties concerned including drivers (both taxi and TNCs). Won't the Chronicle take a more thorough, unbiased look at the whole picture?
Note that this issue is nothing compared to the ones down the road (excuse the pun) if driverless cars become a reality!
Lydia Schubert