Now, there’s a new incentive meant to lure people back downtown: half-priced Uber rides through the holidays.<\/p>\n
“Our public agencies have been clear with us that this construction is only going to really intensify over the next decade,” said Vanessa Olson with the Downtown Austin Alliance (DAA), which is subsidizing the Uber rides. “We’re testing this program and many others to see what works to make sure people can still support those downtown businesses.”<\/p>\n
During December, the DAA will pay 50% of the cost for Uber rides to and from downtown within a 30-mile radius. The maximum subsidy is $40 per ride and doesn’t include the tip.<\/p>\n
The vouchers can be be claimed now at xoxodowntown.com<\/a> and used Dec. 1 through Jan. 1 at 8 a.m., allowing for a ride home after New Year’s Eve.<\/p>\n The DAA has 5,000 vouchers available. Each voucher covers up to six rides. Olson says if all the vouchers are claimed, they might release more later in December.<\/p>\n Gabriel C. P\u00e9rez<\/p>\n \/<\/p>\n KUT News<\/p>\n The DAA subsidy in December applies to Uber rides to and from downtown, within a 30-mile radius. That would include suburbs like Manor, Kyle and Leander. <\/p>\n “It’s very difficult to tell exactly the cost of each trip,” Olson said, because vouchers could be used for a trip to South Austin or a 27-mile drive to Kyle. “We’ll be monitoring it closely and if we are still within our budget, it is very possible for us to release more vouchers say mid-month.”<\/p>\n Money for the rides is coming from the DAA’s $14.3 million annual budget<\/a>, which is mostly funded by a tax on privately-owned downtown properties. The DAA also sponsors the KUT and KUTX Holiday Sing-Along and Stroll<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n