§ 4-17-12. LIST OF INCENTIVES.

The Incentive Program shall include, to the extent feasible, as directed by the City Manager, and without limitation, the incentives listed in this Section for companies, drivers, or passengers participating in the program. The incentives in this section shall not be construed to deny access by a driver who is not a badge holder to a legally accessible area that was available to a Transportation Network Company driver on January 28, 2016.

(A)

Allow only badge holders the preferred ability to pick-up, and where feasible drop-off, passengers at a designated or geo-fenced location:

(1)

during large gatherings and special events, including but not limited to South by Southwest Festival, Austin City Limits Festival, and the Trail of Lights;

(2)

within entertainment districts established by the director; and

(3)

within hours established by the director, including evening hours.

(B)

Allow only badge holders the preferred ability to wait or queue in areas established by the director.

(C)

Allow only badge holders the preferred ability to load and unload within "Safe Loading Zones" established by the director in and around downtown entertainment areas. The safe loading zones may be physically or virtually fenced so as to ensure access only to badge holders.

(D)

Provide a reduced fee schedule for badge holders, only as approved in the city budget, for any fees that may be charged by the City to support any safety programs that may be established by separate ordinance relating to the operation and use of ground transportation services and allowing that the savings inure to the benefit of a company, driver, or passenger.

(E)

Provide a reduced fee schedule for any ground transportation service company regulated under City Code Chapter 13-2 (Ground Transportation Passenger Services) if the company requires its drivers to be badge holders or the company has badge holders operating under the company's platform. The reduced fee must be approved in the city budget, and may be for all or a portion of any fees that may be charged by the City, including but not limited to any fees charged by the City to support any safety programs that may be established by separate ordinance relating to the operation and use of ground transportation service providers.

(F)

Reward badge holders, or participate in programs that reward badge holders who voluntarily participate in the Incentive Program.

(G)

Reward passengers, or participate in programs that reward passengers who choose badge holders for their transportation needs.

(H)

To the extent feasible, participate in a program to exempt, credit, or provide discounts to badge holders from tolls while the drivers are driving a ground transportation service vehicle, or allowing such drivers to access HOV or managed lanes from which they may otherwise be excluded.

(I)

Promote or otherwise support the Incentive Program or any independent third party issuing badges that allow participation qualify for incentives under the Incentive Program.

(J)

Reward ground transportation service companies that visually represent on their app that a particular assigned driver is a badge holder in a manner that is readily discernable.

(K)

Reward ground transportation service companies that establish methods to enhance the ability of drivers or passengers to identify and choose a Badge Holder for transportation services.

(L)

Reward transportation service companies that establish methods to allow a passenger to cancel without charge an assigned driver that is not certified.

(M)

Reward ground transportation service companies that provide passengers the ability to select certified drivers then available and operating.

(N)

Reward ground transportation service companies that visually represent on their app the location and number of proximate vehicles being operated by a certified driver.

Source: Ord. No. 20160128-092, Pt. 1, 2-8-16 .