lyft has some issues too…
https://www.cnet.com/news/lyft-pays-27m-settles-driver-classification-suit-class-action-california/
p.s. it is not like the taxi companies are holier than thou. they have just be screwing people for a lot longer.
Well given the response time I have experienced with both Lyft and Uber, there doesn’t appear to be any shortage of drivers. There has to be something in it for these drivers that is making the arrangement worthwhile for them. The drivers I have encountered do not seem disgruntled at all.
If there comes a time where someone feels the job is not worth it from a financial perspective, then just like any other unsatisfied employee you move on. It’s pretty simple.
Yes: desperation, dwindling or nonexistent career prospects, and rents outpacing earnings in major cities. Most people do jobs that aren’t “worth it” for them–or are “worth it” only because the available options are so dire.
Welcome back, @marvin100. 
I had a great vacation. Not sure how good it is to be back 
https://www.vox.com/new-money/2017/5/23/15682486/uber-drivers-new-york
“Uber admitted on Tuesday that it has shortchanged drivers in New York by an average of about $900 per driver. The calculation error could wind up costing Uber more than $45 million in payments to drivers in the New York area.”
Are the ethics of other companies such as Lyft any better?
I fortunately live in a rural area that has none of these companies but I have considered signing up for when we travel. In general I prefer to use a taxi company because they do have to be fully licensed/insured and have to accept what ever passenger is next in line at the airport and cannot refuse us.
I also prefer taxis and friends/family. So far, H and I have never used Lyft or Uber. Have caught some shuttles and many taxis, plus lots of walking.
I’ve been refused by yellow cabs in NYC several times (not at airport tho), because I lived in Harlem. I used gypsy cabs (basically car service cars that you’d call for by phone that illegally accept hailed rides on the street) much of the time because back then yellow cabs didn’t go up there much.
Lyft/Uber drivers have cancellation and acceptance rates attached to their account that, if too high, can knock them off the platform for a period of time (r forever if it persists). So in general they take most rides but because they are not employees they are free to turn one down if they want.
Also, Lyft/Uber carry their own insurance that protects you, the passenger, and the driver while you are in the car. Some states/municipalities require more insurance than that, and many drivers carry a sort of gap insurance that covers them when they are driving for the company but do not have a pax in the car.
As much as I don’t like the guy, he needs some hugs today…
http://money.cnn.com/2017/05/27/technology/uber-travis-kalanick-parents-tragedy/
From WaPo:
"Embattled Uber CEO Travis Kalanick takes a temporary leave from the ride-hailing company
Travis Kalanick, the embattled chief executive of Uber, announced Tuesday that he was stepping away from the company to grieve for his mother who was killed in a boating accident several weeks ago.
The announcement comes as the company releases a highly anticipated report from former attorney general Eric Holder, who had been asked to investigate reports of harassment and other inappropriate behavior at Uber.
The board of directors is hoping the report, along with Kalanick’s leave, will help spark a turnaround at Uber, which has been reeling from a series of scandals."
Synopsis of the Board of Directors’ recommendations…
** BRILLIANT!!! And all it took was Eric Holder and 10 or 12 Ivy league guys to put this list together.
They could have saved time and money by Googling “ways to make companies gooder” **
Where’s @marvin100?
Uber Founder Kalanick resigns.
"Some of the largest investors in the ride-hailing company made their demand known in a letter titled “Moving Uber Forward.” The company has been embroiled in controversy over its workplace culture and allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination.
Kalanick is expected to stay on the board of directors and assist in the search for his successor as well as a chief financial officer."
They sent an email to drivers (and former drivers :D) that tipping in the app is rolling out, the wait (before being able to get a cancel fee or wait unpaid) is going down to 2 minutes and some other things, and they are planning more. Someone is reaching out to drivers bigtime now and it is being very well received.
Meh. They had one chance with me and blew it. Not interested in the new regime, and I’m sure plenty of Kalanick’s enablers are still employed. Happy to stay a Lyft user.
Of course I don’t know the legalities but it seems unfair that you sign up as an independent contractor then sue saying you should be a regular employee.
I wonder if drivers will rate you lower if you decide not to tip? Now that they expect tips they are no longer cheaper than cabs in some areas.
“Of course I don’t know the legalities but it seems unfair that you sign up as an independent contractor then sue saying you should be a regular employee.”
These pesky little legalities determine your status, not what you think you signed up for.
I’m sure, like with Lyft, the tip info comes after the rating. Drivers have to rate you in order to complete the trip and get the next one, so the answer is very likely no.
With cash tips, many drivers did rate lower. Making drivers wait will also often get you a lower rating.
However, passenger ratings aren’t nearly as important as driver ratings, drivers can be deactivated - fired in contractor/Uber speak - for getting much below a 4.5. Passengers with lower ratings are just less likely to get picked up by the nearest drivers in busy areas.
And a big rat jumps that ship:
http://money.cnn.com/2017/08/10/technology/business/ryan-graves/index.html