AUSTIN, Texas — Every transportation network company in Austin is required to have an accessible service request option on their app within three months of launching.
That setting would link those with disabilities to a ride, but like Ride Austin not all of the companies have that function.
"More than just having something in our app say something, we are actually working with partners in the community to raise the funds to make sure that we can get people with disabilities the rides that they need," said Joe Deshotel from Ride Austin.
In a memo released on Tuesday, the Austin Transportation Department said Ride Austin, Fasten and Tride are non-compliant.
However, Deshotel says it isn't a simple task.
"What we're working to do as a nonprofit is reach out, find grants and find other sources of revenue to actually purchase wheelchair accessible vehicles. We're more interested in getting it right than just providing something on the screen that says we're doing something," Deshotel said.
But Dennis Borel with the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities felt otherwise.
"Don't tell me this is a hard problem to solve, it's not. It's not," said Borel.
He says ride-hail companies need to do a better job of catering to those who are disabled.
"These businesses should see the market of people with disabilities. You can do it, I would get them out there recruit it. If you can't find people who are willing to be drivers and have those kinds of vehicles, then these companies need to come up with a solution," he added.
Since September, the city has collected more than half a million dollars from its 1 percent TNC (Transportation Network Companies) fee.
Ride-hail groups would like it to help pay for Americans with Disability Act-accessible vehicles.
"If the city has some money set aside for this type of program, I think you will see it come to fruition much sooner," said Deshotel.
For those with disabilities, it can't come soon enough.
City officials could not answer our request to determine what the money collected from the fee goes toward.