New Braunfels staff urged a choice on paid pedicabs at Wednesday’s council workshop: remove the city’s pedicab provisions or rewrite the rules for operators. The discussion also opened a path toward rules for private shuttles using city streets.
The proposed vehicle-for-hire changes cover passenger services using New Braunfels public rights of way, and the city lists all council districts as affected.
Staff recommended removing pedicab service provisions and described a possible alternative of rewriting the requirements.
City staff says no pedicab operators currently operate in New Braunfels, although Chapter 138 provides a pedicab permit process.
The staff report traces the question back to November 2024, when the city reviewed how it handles pedicab applications. It says several people had inquired about starting service since 2023, but none completed the code’s review and approval process. Transportation, police, fire and other city departments then worked on possible operating and safety rules. Their conclusion left council with two policy paths: tighten the permit system or remove pedicabs from the code. Chapter 138 also covers taxis, ambulance services, towing and water-recreation shuttles, though those services were not the focus of this item.
Shuttles and carriages
The city’s item report says general shuttles already operate in New Braunfels, but they lack designated stops and loading zones in public rights of way. Staff proposed a new code article addressing routes, stops, loading zones and operators’ responsibilities. In the workshop, staff also described an ordinance and franchise agreement, with a possible route between downtown and Gruene.
Horse-drawn carriages are also allowed under the current code, but city staff says no permits have been issued. The workshop discussion raised downtown road space, loading and animal-welfare concerns. Those concerns are staff’s rationale for considering a change, not a finding that an operator violated a rule.
What happens next
Staff may bring Chapter 138 amendments back for approval after council direction; possible fee changes would be identified later.
Readers can inspect the city’s item report for the existing rules and staff’s options, then watch the meeting recording for the discussion. The earlier workshop preview explains the wider agenda. A later posted ordinance or council vote would show which option the city actually chooses.