Lyft says Austin has extended ‘open arms’
It already has been more than a month since ride-hailing services Uber and Lyft returned to Austin.
A lot has changed in that short span of time, including the departure of one competing service, Fare.
Lyft says customers have been quick to return to the service, which was gone for about a year.
“Austin has welcomed Lyft back with open arms,” said Aaron Fox, Lyft’s Austin general manager. “The response from the Austin community of riders and drivers has been tremendous. We are committed to sending that love back to them in droves. Lyft is honored to be back in a town.”
The two national ride-hailing companies resumed service in Austin on May 29 after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law a statewide measure to regulate ride-hailing services, which rendered moot the Austin rules that led them to
leave the city. The city-mandated screening process for drivers included a fingerprinting requirement that the companies opposed.
Lyft shared with the American-Statesman a list of Austin riders’ most popular destinations over the past month. The top drop-off point, by far, has been Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, while Rainey Street ranked as the No. 1 entertainment destination.
Other top destinations include: Hotels ■ JW Marriott ■ Hilton Austin ■ Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt Bars ■ Barbarella ■ Banger’s ■ Kung Fu Saloon Attractions/recreation spots ■ Zilker Park ■ Barton Springs Pool ■ Texas Capitol Music venues ■ Stubb’s Bar-B-Q ■ The White Horse ■ The Mohawk Grocery stores ■ Walmart ■ Whole Foods Market ■ H-E-B Restaurants ■ Torchy’s Tacos ■ Easy Tiger ■ Chupacabra Cantina ■ Gloria’s Latin Cuisine ■ Moonshine Grill “Clearly Austinites and tourists who visit love everything our town has to offer,” Fox said. “Whether basking in the sun at Zilker, enjoying a taco at Torchy’s or happy hour in Rainey, Lyft is proud to be the provider of safe and affordable rides. The destination ranking is a demonstration of how Austinites are using ride-sharing for every part of their daily lives.” Contact Gary Dinges at 512912-5987. Twitter: @gdinges