Pending the results of Saturday’s election on Proposition 1, many Austinites are fretting the imminent exit from our fair town by Uber and Lyft, the two ride-hailing giants who make getting home from Sunday morning worship service such a breeze. If they do go, however, residents might still have options. There are, of course, the taxi companies as well as the Dallas-based ride-and-errand service Get Me, though both services have borne their own share of criticism. Starting next Monday, however, a new challenger will appear with the formal announcement that San Francisco-based Wingz is now operating in town. The ride-for-hire app won’t get you to the church picnic and back, but it will take you to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. According to an email from Wingz’s public relations team, “Unlike Uber and Lyft, Wingz offers Texans a personal airport transportation experience with pre-booked, flat rate, and reliable service.” The email ecstatically goes on to say, “Additionally, repeat customers can specifically request previous drivers too!” Wingz’s website claims that drivers must undergo the company’s background check but leaves out any mention of the fingerprinting required under current city law. If voters uphold that law by rejecting Prop 1 this Saturday, Wingz could be in for a rough landing.
Words on the Wingz
