PRESENTER: Presenter
Elizabeth Dupont, Transportation Planner
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SUBJECT: Title
Presentation, discussion, and possible direction on amendments to the New Braunfels Code of Ordinances, Chapter 138, Vehicles for Hire, related to pedicabs, general shuttle services, and horse-drawn carriages
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Construction Services
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
New Braunfels Code of Ordinance, Chapter 138, Vehicles for Hire, regulates the permitting and review of transportation services that carry passengers for compensation within the public right-of-way. This section covers Taxicabs and Pedicabs, Ambulance Services, Vehicle Storage and Incident Management Tows, Water Recreation Shuttle Services, and Horse-drawn Carriages.
Pedicabs
In November 2024, city staff reviewed the existing pedicab ordinance policy to determine the appropriate review process for incoming pedicab registration requests. The City received multiple inquiries to initiate services since 2023, but none of the applicants fully adhered to the code requirements, so none made it through the review and approval process. City staff identified the need to develop standard operating procedures to process pedicab permit requests, including coordination across various city departments.
A multi-department work group was formed, including Transportation & Construction Services, Police, Fire, Public Works, Parks & Recreation, Communications & Community Engagement, and Economic & Community Development, to develop a policy recommendation for potential ordinance changes to address pedicab operations, safety, and standard operating procedures. In reviewing the code section, the work group determined that pedicabs operating within the existing pedicab operation area (as defined by Section 138-17. Pedicab geographical area of service) would result in impacts on other city operations and that the current code is not robust enough to address possible issues affecting public safety. The City should consider code amendments or removing pedicabs as an allowed service. No pedicab operators currently operate in New Braunfels.
General Shuttle Services
City staff has received requests to allow private general shuttle operations in the public right-of-way. Chapter 138, Article VI covers water recreation shuttle services; however, no code article or section outlines the requirements and process for allowing general shuttle services, including stops and loading zone locations in the right-of-way. Staff would like to add a code article detailing the necessary requirements for shuttle operations and their use of designated routes, stops, and loading zones with the City’s right-of-way to define the rights and responsibilities of the parties involved and ensure shuttle operators meet public safety requirements. General shuttles operate in New Braunfels; however, they do not have designated stops or loading zones within the city right-of-way.
Horse-Drawn Carriages
Horse-drawn carriages are currently an allowed service and have not had any permits issued. Like pedicabs, the traffic impact and additional enforcement needed to adequately review and monitor these operations make allowing them difficult. There is also growing concern about the welfare of animals used in these services.
Other cities have begun phasing these uses out of their ordinances. In 2025, the City of San Antonio began phasing out these services by no longer issuing new permits and not allowing further operations after 2030. No operators currently operate in New Braunfels.
During the Special Council Meeting held September 30, 2026, City Council directed staff to remove pedicabs and horse-drawn carriages from ordinance, and to add general shuttle services as its own article for future permitting.
ISSUE:
Presentation and discussion on updates to Section 138: VEHICLES FOR HIRE to improve clarity, remove articles, and add articles to account for new uses
FISCAL IMPACT:
Possible fee structure modifications to be identified and presented at a later date.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
City staff shall bring forward code amendments to the Transportation and Traffic Advisory Board for their recommendation to City Council at a later date.