Tride Rideshare — a company that allows you to get a ride through a phone application — has been trying to extend their services to Wichita Falls since late summer.

In addition to their home base in Tulsa, they currently offer services in Austin and Corpus Christi.



“In — I believe it was Corpus Christi — and in Austin as well — they made sure we were there in a matter of three days, so it went really fast,” Tride Team Leader, Gary Farris, said. “And they already had established rules, but Wichita Falls — it took a little bit longer, but you guys I guess didn’t have rules on the books already.”

But come October 18, city councilors could take action on an ordinance that would allow the company to come to the area.

City leaders wanted to edit older sections of the vehicle for hire ordinance, which they said will allow the current taxi cab companies to operate on a competitive level.

They also added new elements to the ordinance that are tailored to rideshare companies.

“We’ve taken all of the input that we’ve received from both entities and developed a proposed ordinance that we will be taking to city council,” transportation director, John Burrus, said.

Burrus said the ordinance will be an action item on the council’s next meeting agenda — where both the taxi companies and Tride will make presentations. He said at that time they could move to further edit the ordinance. Meanwhile, Tride is starting to pursue the chauffeur permit process for potential drivers — as well as trying to get Sheppard Air Force Base access approved.

“That’s one part of the ordinance that we were very insistent upon. As a city organization, not only did we require them to serve Wichita Falls, but it was very important for us to be able to serve Sheppard Air Force Base as well,” Burrus said.

Tride said a few things set them apart from big rideshare companies like Uber or Lyft. There are no surcharge prices based on the time of day and their drivers have to go through an official background check process.

“People that can get in a car — be friendly and offer that real customer service experience to somebody as they go home,” Farris said.

Tride said Wichita Falls appealed to them because of the student and airmen populations — and they also look to roll into smaller towns that bigger rideshare companies may not approach. Burrus said some ordinances have a 30 day delay before going into effect — but Tride Rideshare could take steps to speed up that process.