KLRU
Leave Town
RECEIVED Mon., May 2, 2016
Dear Editor,
I voted "no" on Austin's Proposition 1 yesterday. Super easy, too! Just showed up at Randalls and cast a ballot.
Voting no means the existing law remains in place and Uber and Lyft have to actually abide by a sensible regulation our elected officials approved. The Austin Chronicle echos my sentiments completely in their Endorsement. I do not tolerate bullying. And that is exactly what Uber and Lyft are doing to all of us. They are sending false information by mail, email, phone calls, text messages, online advertisements – every possible channel you can imagine. Spending tremendous amounts of money to threaten us that if Prop 1 is not approved they will leave town.
Here's what I say: "Leave town." Do you really think it will have an impact?
Sure, for a few months perhaps ridesharing is unavailable, maybe. Is that the worst thing in the world?? It's only been around a few years so obviously we did fine without it!!
Within a few months Uber and Lyft will adjust to the regulation or another company will enter. Frankly the market is ripe for a competitor to swoop in and beat Uber and Lyft by partnering with government agencies. There are several other companies operating in major cities. What if one of the them has political connections and works with each municipality to craft fair regulations that work for everyone and most likely put that company at an advantage over Uber and Lyft because they are at the forefront of the regulation?
In summary, Uber and Lyft: Since you won't stop sending me false information, and because you keep threatening to leave town, then go ahead and leave town and watch as your empire begins to crumble one city regulation at a time.
I voted "no" on Austin's Proposition 1 yesterday. Super easy, too! Just showed up at Randalls and cast a ballot.
Voting no means the existing law remains in place and Uber and Lyft have to actually abide by a sensible regulation our elected officials approved. The Austin Chronicle echos my sentiments completely in their Endorsement. I do not tolerate bullying. And that is exactly what Uber and Lyft are doing to all of us. They are sending false information by mail, email, phone calls, text messages, online advertisements – every possible channel you can imagine. Spending tremendous amounts of money to threaten us that if Prop 1 is not approved they will leave town.
Here's what I say: "Leave town." Do you really think it will have an impact?
Sure, for a few months perhaps ridesharing is unavailable, maybe. Is that the worst thing in the world?? It's only been around a few years so obviously we did fine without it!!
Within a few months Uber and Lyft will adjust to the regulation or another company will enter. Frankly the market is ripe for a competitor to swoop in and beat Uber and Lyft by partnering with government agencies. There are several other companies operating in major cities. What if one of the them has political connections and works with each municipality to craft fair regulations that work for everyone and most likely put that company at an advantage over Uber and Lyft because they are at the forefront of the regulation?
In summary, Uber and Lyft: Since you won't stop sending me false information, and because you keep threatening to leave town, then go ahead and leave town and watch as your empire begins to crumble one city regulation at a time.
Jonathan Malkin
