AUSTIN (KXAN) – The city of Austin’s transportation department on Wednesday will talk to transportation users and service providers about whether smart phones could become catalysts for ridesharing programs.

The department said in a report to the City Counci l that several U.S. cities are seeing smart phones apps to effectively dispatch illegal taxis to would be riders. Cities such as New York and Philadelphia are taking action to prevent the activity because it violates their taxi ordinances, the report says.

“There is no question that technology is rapidly changing and offering new opportunities to promote policies on alternative transportation options in Austin,” the report says.

In Austin, the city has ordered at least one rideshare company to quit operating. That company, SideCar, has filed a lawsuit seeking to allow it to remain in business in Austin.

Wednesday’s meeting starts at 6 p.m. in Room 325, One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Road.