AUSTIN (KXAN) — While no one knows the exact number of Uber and Lyft drivers who are without a job after both companies left the Austin market on Monday, the city of Austin knows the group is being negatively impacted.

On Thursday, Austin announced a partnership with the United Way of Greater Austin to establish a TNC Driver Hotline to help drivers who need work. Transportation Network Company drivers can call 512-687-7441 to reach trained United Way employees who can offer referrals to other driving positions as well as other agencies that can help with financial needs.

“It’s very disappointing that Uber and Lyft decided to cease services with virtually no notice to the public or to their drivers,” said Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo in a press release. “Providing a hotline directing the to other local ride hailing companies is just one of the ways the city is assisting Austinites who rely on these services for employment or transportation.”

Cesar Blanco drove for Uber one year before they left town. He’s now working full-time time with GetMe. He’s still getting used to a new platform, but it’s working for him.

“I think life after Uber will definitely have a little bit of growing pains,” he says. Cesar Blanco is one of the drivers who’s giving it a shot. The latest example of a city in transition. Some have harsher words.

“These companies have left us all in the lurch,” said Councilwoman Ann Kitchen from District 5.

“Thanks for calling the United Way driver helpline. My name is Kim how can I help you?” Kim Evans said. She’s a staffer at United Way’s Austin headquarters. She’s one of six of the staffers giving out information on other TNCs, who to call and the steps it takes to get hired.

“One of the companies that I have for you is called FARE. And you can reach them either by phone, by their website or by email. Would you like all three?” she asks Peter, who called in from Hutto.

City Hall has received 7,000 emails since Saturday from people who are angry to no longer have Uber and Lyft. They’re skeptical the city can replace them.

“I think it’s very naive of the city to think you can create a company like Uber and Lyft overnight,” said Councilwoman Ellen Troxclair from District 8.

United Way says from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. they’ve received 169 calls. They’ll operate 24/7 until the demand is down.

The day before, the Austin Transportation Department sent a memo to the mayor and city council suggesting the city deregulate the taxi industry.

In a statement, a Lyft spokesperson brought up the fact that the city hasn’t been enforcing its fingerprinting ordinance. “If the council has no plans to actually require fingerprinting, and is actively promoting businesses who are failing to meet fingerprint requirements, then it owes the people of Austin an explanation about why they no longer have access to ridesharing,” said the Lyft statement.

Earlier KXAN had those same concerns and brought that allegation to the transportation department.

“There are no established penalties for not complying with the benchmarks portion of the City Code. City Code provides that penalties related to this provision will be defined by separate ordinance,” said Cheyenne Kraus, public information specialist from the city of Austin.

That ordinance is yet to come.