Taxis in the Digital Age
Popular on-demand taxi services like Uber and Lyft have been under fire for quite some time. With an app on their smartphone, a customer can plan a route, request a ride and pay their driver with a tap. This convenient alternative often takes business away from traditional taxi companies, causing controversy in various municipalities. As of now, both Uber and Lyft are largely unregulated by the state.
Back in April, a bill was introduced to the Texas House that would allow cities to regulate these newer transportation services just as they do taxi companies. While Uber and Lyft criticized the bill and fought against the regulation, taxi companies, as you can probably guess, supported it. The bill has not progressed past its committee hearing and may not get a vote during the current Texas legislative session. To learn more, take a look at The Texas Tribune’s full report on the bill.
Locomotive Commotion
By 2021, Texas might have its own high-speed bullet train. Texas Central Railway (TCR), a private company, has plans to build a rail system connecting Dallas to Houston. A passenger would be able to travel across the state in about 90 minutes.
While this sounds like a great alternative to those long road trips, taking the train might not be in your budget. Riding won’t be cheap. As stated on its website, TCR plans to set ticket prices “to be very competitive with those of airlines.” So if you’re planning a weekend getaway to Austin, you’ll probably be using the open road.
Info from WFAA.
A major concern with TCR’s proposal is the power of eminent domain. As the Supreme Court decided in Kelo v. City of New London, a city can buy private property and sell it for private development – as long as that development is intended to help build and grow the economy. This is how Jerry Jones was able to build the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium in Arlington. TCR states on its website that “eminent domain proceedings will only be a last resort.” But it is very unlikely, if the proposal goes through, that eminent domain won’t be used at all. Some buildings will just be in the way of rail construction. To learn more, take a look at TCR’s website.
DART to DFW Airports
While statewide transportation policies are stirring up controversy, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has recently added a new stop on its light rail system. The DFW Airport Station gives passengers direct access to, you guessed it, DFW International Airport. Unlike the proposed bullet train, DART’s fare prices range from a $2.50 two-hour ticket to a $80 monthly local pass. Additionally, parking at any DART station is free with the purchase of a ticket.
However, DART also provides access to Dallas Love Field Airport, although not quite as directly. Passengers can ride the light rail to Inwood/Love Field Station and take a shuttle called Love Link to the airport. Riders leaving from Love Field can take the shuttle for free.
To learn more about the DFW Airport Station, listen to the audio report below:
The Lowdown
While DART’s newest rail station appears to be a smart investment, controversy brews over a high speed rail proposal and the regulation of modern taxi-like services. For now, it seems Uber and Lyft will continue business as usual while citizens continue to discuss the merits of Texas Central Railway’s bullet train. Take a look at the interactive map below for illustrations of the proposed high-speed rail and DART’s orange line. This is also a quick reference for Uber and Lyft service areas in Texas.
The Lowdown 