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Seattle law will force Uber and Lyft to pay drivers a minimum hourly wage
Seattle’s city council has unanimously approved a minimum wage for Uber and Lyft drivers, becoming the second major US city to do so along with New York.
Uber's latest acquisition should bring better public transit accessibility
Uber’s efforts to pivot towards becoming a software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider for local transit agencies continued on Thursday as the ride-hailing startup announced its acquisition of Atlanta-based Routematch. Routematch offers accessibility services including trip planning, vehicle tracking, and payment tools for transit riders with additional needs — both in public transportation settings like subways and busses as well as more specialized paratransit services. The company had already partnered with more than 500 urban, suburban, and rural transit agencies around the world at the time of its acquisition.
Amazon acquires self-driving startup Zoox
Amazon will reportedly pay over $1.2 billion to acquire Zoox, one of the many companies working on self-driving technology. The acquisition represents Amazon’s strongest commitment to self-driving so far.
Uber, Lyft may create more CO2 emissions than trips they displace
Ride-hailing services might seem environmentally friendly by reducing the need for car ownership. However, that's not necessarily the case -- they might actually make matters worse. A newly published study from the Union of Concerned Scientists estimates that services like Uber and Lyft typically generate 69 percent more CO2 emissions than the transportation options they displace. It's even worse in urban areas, where hailed cars are more likely to have replaced cleaner options like mass transit or biking.
NYC-only affordable alternative to Uber and Lyft arrives today
Starting today, New Yorkers have access to a new option when it comes to ride-hailing apps, one that claims it's "built for New Yorkers by a New Yorker." Myle was founded by Aleksey Medvedovskiy, who says he's a 20-year veteran of the city's taxi industry. The company hopes to differentiate itself by giving people a more affordable alternative to Uber and Lyft.
Via's largest on-demand transit service to date launches in Sacramento
Via just launched one of its most ambitious on-demand public transportation projects yet. The company has teamed up with Sacramento Regional Transit to roll out an expanded version of SmaRT Ride, billed as the "largest on-demand microtransit system" in the US. A total of 42 shuttle buses ferry passengers in nine zones across Sacramento, supplementing the existing bus and rail coverage. Like Via's other services, you just need to use an app or call a number to hail a ride and wait at a virtual bus stop for a shared vehicle.
Judge strikes down NYC law limiting Uber and Lyft driver cruising time
Uber and Lyft have won a major legal battle in one of their most important US markets. On Monday, a state judge ruled that a New York City law designed to control how much time ride-hailing drivers can spend looking for passengers was "arbitrary and capricious," reports Reuters.
German court bans Uber’s ride-hailing service
Uber has suffered another major setback in Europe. According to Reuters, a court in Germany ruled on Thursday that the company doesn't have the necessary license to operate a business that employs for-hire drivers.
Mercedes and Bosch commence self-driving trials in San Jose
Do you know the way to San Jose? It doesn't matter if you're in a self-driving car. As they previewed earlier this year, Bosch and Mercedes-Benz have commenced trials for an automated ride-hailing service in the Silicon Valley city of San Jose. To start with, autonomous S-Class Mercedes-Benz vehicles (with safety drivers at the wheel) will shuttle "a select group of users" between North San Jose and downtown.
Uber loses London license over 'a pattern of failures'
Uber could soon be banned from London. The city's ride-hailing regulator, Transport for London (TfL), has denied the company a new license because it's "not fit and proper" and allowed a number of uninsured and suspended drivers to operate in the city. "While we recognise Uber has made improvements, it is unacceptable that Uber has allowed passengers to get into minicabs with drivers who are potentially unlicensed and uninsured," Helen Chapman, director of licensing, regulation and charging at TfL said. The decision is a critical blow in a long-running legal tussle between Uber and the city of London. The company was stripped of its license in 2017 because TfL believed leadership had shown "a lack of corporate responsibility." In particular, the regulator wasn't impressed with its approach to reporting serious criminal offences, obtaining Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and its usage of 'Greyball' software to stop transportation officers from booking rides in the city. The ride-hailing giant appealed the decision and was given a 15-month window to clean up its act. The temporary license forced Uber to produce a bi-yearly assurance report, appoint three non-executive directors to its board, and give at least one month's notice for any major changes to its business model. Last September, Uber was granted another two-month license to further improve its processes and safety standards. The extension threw in additional conditions, too, designed to "ensure passenger safety." TfL acknowledged Uber's improved "culture and governance" but asked for more time to scrutinize "information that we are requesting ahead of consideration of any potential further licensing." Today, we have clarity on that information request and why TfL has been so hesitant to grant Uber a long-term license. In a press release, the transport regulator said it had identified "a pattern of failures" and "several breaches." The biggest problem was a loophole in Uber's systems that allowed unauthorised drivers to upload their photo to another driver's account. That meant they could quietly work through another driver's profile without insurance or prior vetting by Uber. TfL said "at least 14,000 trips" were carried out this way. "Another failure" allowed dismissed and suspended drivers to create an Uber account and work. "TfL's decision not to renew Uber's licence in London is extraordinary and wrong, and we will appeal." "Over the last two months we have audited every driver in London and further strengthened our processes," Jamie Heywood, Uber's regional manager for Northern and Eastern Europe said. "We have robust systems and checks in place to confirm the identity of drivers and will soon be introducing a new facial matching process, which we believe is a first in London taxi and private hire." In a blog post, Uber pointed to a Safety Toolkit -- a suite of in-app tools that included an emergency assistance button and ride-tracking for Trusted Contacts -- it launched in October 2018. The company also highlighted a driver insurance package and various culture changes, such as the introduction of security and privacy training for all UK-based employees. "TfL recognises the steps that Uber has put in place to prevent this type of activity," the regulator said in a press release. "However, it is a concern that Uber's systems seem to have been comparatively easily manipulated." Uber has 21 days to launch an appeal and can operate while its appeal is considered. "We understand we're held to a high bar, as we should be. But this TfL decision is just wrong," Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber tweeted. "Over the last two years we have fundamentally changed how we operate in London. We have come very far — and we will keep going, for the millions of drivers and riders who rely on us." Heywood added: TfL's decision not to renew Uber's licence in London is extraordinary and wrong, and we will appeal." Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, supported TfL's decision today. "I know this decision may be unpopular with Uber users but their safety is the paramount concern," he tweeted. "Regulations are there to keep Londoners safe, and fully complying with TfL's strict standards is essential if private hire operators want a license to operate in London."
Hyundai will offer free self-driving rides in Irvine, California
A handful of Californians are about to experience self-driving cars first-hand. Hyundai, Via and (appropriately enough) Pony.ai are debuting a driverless ride hailing BotRide service in Irvine on November 4th. A group of "several hundred" residents, including college students, will have free access to autonomous Kona Electric SUVs that will take them between multiple points of interest, using Via's algorithms to optimize the number of passengers without making them walk too far at either end of the trip. Pony.ai will supply the sensor hardware and software to help navigate city streets.
Via's on-demand van service comes to Apple's backyard
Via's on-demand vans have been available in a handful of cities, but now the company is aiming for a particularly obvious market: Silicon Valley commuters. The city of Cupertino and Via are launching an alternative public transportation network on October 29th that will let locals hail a Mercedes shuttle van to travel within the city, including to and from Apple Park -- helpful for staff who want a relatively inexpensive ride to work. You'll also find a "satellite zone" of service around the Sunnyvale CalTrain station to help commuters complete their trips.
Uber has a solution for chatty drivers
We've all been there. You've had a long, tiring day, and you hail a ride to get home. Your driver is nice, but they're perhaps a little too eager for some chit-chat and to play their favorite radio station, when you'd like a modicum of peace and quiet. Sure, you can ask them to turn down the volume and hold the small talk, but that's invariably awkward. So, if you're riding in an Uber Black or Uber Black SUV, you'll be able to request a silent ride using a Quiet Mode option in the Uber app.
Waymo's self-driving vans will start picking up Lyft riders in Phoenix
Waymo and Lyft have clarified how their self-driving technology partnership will work in the short term. As an initial move, Lyft customers in the metro Phoenix area will have access to 10 Waymo vehicles in the next few months. You'll just have to pick the vehicle type from the Lyft app, much like you would with any other ride option. The move will both expand the reach of Waymo's fledgling self-driving operations and provide "valuable feedback."
Lyft hopes free banking and cheap repairs will lure drivers away from Uber
Lyft has introduced free banking and deeply discounted repair services for drivers, perhaps in an effort to persuade the best of them to choose its company over Uber's. The ride-hailing service has officially launched Lyft Driver Services, and it includes access to free bank accounts and debit cards called Lyft Direct.
Uber is acquiring Middle Eastern rival Careem for $3.1 billion
Uber has confirmed it's acquiring its main rival in the Middle East, Careem, for $3.1 billion. The deal is the region's largest ever tech transaction, outside of Israel, according to the Associated Press. It gives Uber significant access to the greater Middle East's 600 million-strong population -- the majority of who are under-30 and live in urban hubs -- ahead of its IPO. Its biggest western rival, Lyft, is expected to commence trading shares as soon as this week. Uber said the $3.1 billion transaction consists of $1.7 billion in convertible notes and $1.4 billion in cash.
Lyft's Shared Saver rides save you money if you're willing to walk more
Lyft has announced a new ride option called Shared Saver. The budget-friendly option expands the company's existing ride sharing options puts commuters in the same vehicle to split the cost of the ride and will not be subject to surge pricing. The catch: you'll have to do some walking. Shared Saver requires riders to walk to a designated pick-up spot and may drop them off within walking distances of their final destination rather than taking them directly to it.
Tech-friendly bus startup FlixBus offers riders VR headsets
As anyone who has tried using VR in an airplane or crazy self-driving car knows, it can either help you while away the time or make you nauseous. None of that is discouraging the low-cost, high-tech bus service Flixbus, which has started testing virtual reality on several of its US routes. Passengers going from Tucson, Phoenix, Los Angeles and San Diego on a "panoramic" seat will be able to try about 50 virtual reality games and travel experiences for free.
BMW will be the first foreign car maker to offer ride-hailing in China
If BMW is going to be a giant in mobility services, it'll need to make inroads into some major markets... and it's doing just that. The company now plans to launch a ride-hailing service in China in December, becoming the first international automaker to obtain a license in the country. Daimler had announced plans for a joint-venture service with Volvo parent Geely back in October, but BMW could be faster to actual service.
Microsoft deal with Grab brings its AI, cloud tech to ride-hailing
Earlier this year Uber sold off its ride-hailing business in southeast Asia to a competitor, Grab, which is now raising $3 billion to further expand operations. Today Microsoft announced it's making a "strategic investment" in Grab, as the two launch a "broad partnership" to use Microsoft's machine learning and AI tech. The first step is adopting Microsoft's Azure servers as the cloud platform backing Grab's ride-hailing and digital wallet. After that the plans get bigger, as it anticipates using machine learning and image recognition to let passengers share their location with a driver by taking a picture of their surroundings that the system recognizes and converts into an address. Otherwise it could handle recommendations, improve fraud detection, improve its maps or power facial recognition to identify drivers and passengers. There are also non-AI powered parts of the arrangement, like in-car entertainment systems, linked rewards programs and integration with Outlook. Like Uber, Grab is building a platform to do a lot more than have a stranger come pick you up in their car, while for Microsoft, all of this seems similar to its efforts to compete with Amazon in building more-connected grocery and retail stores and dominate developing back-end technology to control everything. Microsoft didn't say how much it's investing in Grab, but Japan's Softbank is reportedly investing $500 million, while Toyota already announced it's in for $1 billion.
