Uber leaves Austin, is El Paso next?

voters decided to keep requirements that include fingerprint-based background checks for their drivers. the companies stopped services this morning. a similar uber debate continues here in el paso … abc-7’s darren hunt is live with what uber pulling out of austin … … could mean here … darren. rick/estela, uber made the same threat a couple of weeks ago to shut down in el paso … if city council adopts a new vehicle for hire ordinance requiring background checks. it has both sides, including taxi companies, positioning themselves for a possible vote. “i think it’s a real loss for austin, i think it’s a real loss of jobs and supplemental income for people … ” city rep cortney niland says if el paso loses uber, like austin did, it could hurt the economy. “you’ve seen more people go out and enjoy entertainment venues, because they have a safe ride, affordable ride, home … well that’s money getting paid into the sales tax, the alcohol beer tax … these are real tangible dollars.” she’s convinced requiring uber drivers to have background checks separate from the company would have a huge impact. “we have to be careful as polic makers not to put forth regulation that could kill the market.” “that type of policy, is not good policy.” joe oliva is owner of border cab taxi, whose drivers are required to have background checks, unlike uber drivers. “if you make them comply with the rules they will huff and puff and they will probably pull out like they did in austin, and they will come back within a couple of weeks or a couple of months … they just want to see how far they can push a city.” taking a pag from uber, olivar’s company has launched a new app called “andale ride” that he says wil replicate what uber does. “i’ve heard the people of e paso loud and clear, they’ve wanted better service … as you can see on our screen here we can monitor the vehicles in real time … it will give you the rate as to where you’re going beforehand so you’ll know what you’re going to pay … it’s pretty simple to use.” “it’s more uber-like? “it really is, at the end of th day after seeing what was taking place in the industry, i decided if you can’t beat em, join em.” council will again discuss changes to the vehicle for hire ordinance may 17th. we checked around and found fingerprinting for a background check costs about 15 to 35 dollars. rick/estela. it might not be the number one priority … but cost and speed are certainly a factor when deciding where to go for medical care. only on abc-7… … here in the borderland you have a lot of choices … if you are in immediate need of medical attention. so