San Antonio Infrastructure Transportation Committee Meeting - March 3, 2026

On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 2:03 PM, the Infrastructure Transportation Committee convened to discuss the rental vehicle industry, including limousine services, horse-drawn carriages, and electric vehicles. The meeting included public testimony, a staff presentation, and committee deliberation. The meeting adjourned at 3:15 PM.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes from February 3, 2026, were approved by unanimous voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• George García (Transportation Advisory Board member) opposed any changes to current limousine requirements, stating the industry "is not broken" and that existing rules work. He noted his wife owns a limousine company (Creso) and followed all Chapter 33 rules. He urged the committee to maintain the status quo.
• A subsequent speaker (likely another operator, possibly George Mary) opposed changes, arguing that altering rules for new entrants would undermine those who invested under current rules. He highlighted his 30-year anniversary in the business and warned against repeating Houston's loss of control over the industry.
• Oscar Biggs (30-year industry veteran) questioned the need for changes, stating that the industry consistently provides reliable service for events and festivals without complaints.
• Michael Rojas asked the committee to eliminate the limousine requirement (Chapter 33) because it creates a barrier for small operators, and supported more competition.
• A representative of Yellow Bonnet (horse-drawn carriage company) expressed dissatisfaction with the transition process, stating that promises of free operation were not kept. They lost income during the holiday season due to restrictions and urged the city to allow electric carriages as substitutes, noting that operating a horse carriage costs about $75 per trip while electric vehicles would cost less. The representative also noted that the city's regulation prevents them from replacing retired horses.

Discussion Items

• Staff Presentation: Rick Wiley (Assistant Director, Police Department) provided a briefing on Chapter 33 of the City Code, which has governed rental vehicle operations since 1992. The presentation covered:
  • Limousines: 12 companies, 17 vehicles, 165 permitted drivers. Current requirements include owning at least two stretch limousines (or one stretch plus two luxury vehicles), vehicle age limited to 7 years, and liability insurance of $1 million. City staff have received feedback from 5 of 12 limousine owners recommending no changes. The Transportation Advisory Board voted unanimously in August 2025 against changing requirements. Options presented to the committee include: (1) require two stretch limousines or one stretch plus two luxury vehicles; (2) increase insurance to $1 million; (3) rename the industry as "luxury vehicle service" under a new section (33A); (4) make no changes; (5) explore other options.
  • Horse-drawn Carriages: In December 2024, the City Council voted to phase out horse-drawn carriages by January 1, 2033. Currently 25 permits exist across 5 companies (3 owners). Operating hours are being reduced by 20% in phases. The transition to electric carriages was discussed; electric carriages cost approx. $20,000 to purchase vs. $15,000/year to operate a horse carriage. Electric carriages would be governed under Chapter 33's electric vehicle section. Three options for transitioning permits were presented: (1) one-for-one exchange (25 new EV permits); (2) one-for-one exchange but level out permits so each owner gets 10 (30 new EV permits); (3) reduce to 7 permits per owner after exchange (21 new EV permits). In all cases, once a horse carriage permit is exchanged, it cannot be reversed.
  • Pedicabs and Electric Vehicles: The city currently has 15 pedicab permits (max 15) divided among three companies. A citizen wanted a single permit but all were already issued. Concerns were raised that companies are buying permits and not using them. Insurance for pedicabs is the same as for stretch limousines.
• Committee Deliberation:
  • Councilmember Munquía (Chair) noted his inclination to maintain a standard for limousines but not eliminate them. He supported changing the designation to "luxury vehicle" and opposed lowering existing standards for new entrants. He also recognized the difficulty horse carriage operators faced during the holiday season and urged a review.
  • Councilmember Gavito supported Option 2 for horse-drawn carriages (leveling permits to 10 each). She agreed with renaming the limousine industry to "luxury vehicle service" and suggested exploring a list of approved luxury vehicles (like Houston).
  • Councilmember Rodríguez expressed concern that the transition is not on track, noting that the city's commitment to phase out horse carriages should be honored. He deferred on specific options until more information is available.
  • Councilmember Core advocated for a comprehensive review of all Chapter 33 provisions, including pedicabs and electric vehicles. He highlighted that current rules require owning two pedicabs for a permit, which may restrict small operators. He also questioned the market for individual luxury vehicle operators who do not need a permit. He supported a pilot program to test electric carriages.
  • Councilmember Spears initially leaned toward making no changes to limousine requirements, but later worried that increasing insurance to $1 million would be a barrier. She requested cost data for electric carriages and asked how the city would measure success. She also expressed sadness about phasing out horse-drawn carriages.
  • Councilmember Cole supported maintaining $500,000 insurance rather than increasing to $1 million. He also favored redefining the industry as luxury vehicle service with a list of approved vehicles. For carriages, he suggested opening up EV permits to the general community, not just existing operators.
  • The Chair summarized that the goal is to launch a pilot program for electric carriages starting in fall 2026 and ending in spring 2027 (six months, covering holidays). This would provide metrics before the 2030 deadline. He noted that some operators may need assistance acquiring electric carriages.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken; the committee provided direction for staff.
• For limousines: The committee generally favored updating the licensing requirements to a "luxury vehicle" industry category with a moderate minimum standard (e.g., two luxury vehicles or one stretch limousine and one luxury vehicle, with $500,000–$1 million insurance). A list of approved luxury vehicles (similar to Houston) will be explored. The committee did not support eliminating the current requirements entirely.
• For horse-drawn carriages: The committee supported developing a pilot program for electric carriages to begin in fall 2026 (six months). Staff will draft an ordinance to authorize temporary permits. The committee expressed preference for giving existing horse carriage operators priority for early EV permits, while also considering broader public access. Options for permit exchanges (1-for-1, leveling, or reduction) will be further refined. The committee also requested a review of the current implementation of the carriage phase-out, including the impact of recent construction on operations.
• A comprehensive review of all Chapter 33 provisions (including pedicabs, electric vehicles, and horse-drawn carriages) was suggested for a future meeting.
• Staff will prepare a follow-up report with cost data, a proposed pilot program timeline, and metrics for success.