ridesharing
Latest
Uber rolls out text-to-911 feature across the US
As part of its ongoing efforts to keep drivers and passengers safe, Uber is introducing a new, in-app text-to-911 feature in the US. It could be especially useful if a driver or passenger needs to contact emergency services discreetly, without escalating a situation further.
Uber, Lyft will compensate drivers affected by coronavirus outbreak
The coronavirus outbreak is affecting many workers, but it could hit those in the gig economy particularly hard when many of them don't get sick leave or other benefits. Those companies may help soften the blow for some of their workers, though. To start, Uber said in a statement to Engadget that it would compensate drivers worldwide for both Uber and Uber Eats if they're either infected by the coronavirus or quarantined by a public health agency for "a period of up to 14 days." Drivers have already received compensation in "some markets," Uber said, alluding to a Bloomberg report that it had compensated quarantined drivers in Mexico and the UK.
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.
Uber is testing rooftop ads on its ridesharing fleet
Uber is getting into the advertising business. The company has reached a partnership with the ad-tech company Adomni to bring roof-top ads to its fleet, Adweek reports. Drivers in Atlanta, Dallas and Phoenix will soon be able to put ad displays on their vehicles, and Uber plans to expand the option to more cities.
Lyft buys a startup that runs ads on top of ridesharing cars
Lyft might have another way to generate revenue from trips. The company has acquired Halo Cars, a startup that lets drivers for app-based car services run taxi-style ads on top of their vehicles. A spokesperson for the ridesharing giant didn't outline the intentions for the deal, but Axios speculated that Halo's small size (it only operates in two cities) meant Lyft was interested acquiring the team for its media division.
Uber helps you report problematic drivers during your ride
Uber is introducing a new On-Trip Reporting feature that will let users report non-emergency safety issues in real time, instead of waiting until after the trip has ended. Uber hopes this will be more convenient, as users are often distracted after the trip, and many don't want to spend time filing a report when they are, say, meeting friends or heading to an event.
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.
Jaguar Land Rover unveils autonomous EV concept for urban transit
As part of Jaguar Land Rover's mission to achieve zero emissions, the company has unveiled a new concept vehicle, Project Vector. The electric vehicle is designed to provide autonomous rides in urban environments, and it could hit the streets in a pilot program beginning in 2021.
Uber's latest test books rides with a phone call, not the app
Uber is piloting a different way to order one of its cars beyond its apps or voice assistants, and it's one you might be familiar with if you ever had to order a cab before 2009 or so. It's testing an option to book an Uber via phone call in Arizona -- you can order a car by dialing 1-833-USE-UBER.
Lyft expands free voter rides to all US primaries
Lyft is bringing back its free rides for voters during the 2020 US election cycle, and this time it won't be limited to the final vote. The ridesharing firm is expanding its Voting Access Program to offer no-cost rides to polls through the entire primary calendar and general election, starting with the Iowa Caucus in early February. As before, it's partnering with nonprofits like the League of Women Voters, National Urban League and Voto Latino Foundation to make the rides available.
Uber reaches its last major city in North America
Uber has been available in every major North American city for a while, but not Vancouver, British Columbia -- the city has refused to bow to pressure and even used undercover agents to make sure companies weren't flouting the law. However, even that last holdout has changed its ways. The province's Passenger Transportation Board has cleared Uber and its rival Lyft to operate in Vancouver, giving you two more options when you need a ride home from the Canucks game. Uber and Lyft were both quick to seize the opportunity, making service available as of January 24th.
Lyft forms yet another group to address passenger safety
In another attempt to make its ridesharing service safer, Lyft is forming a new Safety Advisory Council. The group will advise the company on its current and planned safety initiatives. In a blog post, Lyft said the council will provide a critical perspective on the work the company is doing.
Uber is leaving Colombia after court ruling
Uber has once again been kicked out of an entire country. The ridesharing firm is shutting down operations in Colombia on February 1st after a December court ruling that it violated transportation laws. It intends to appeal the ruling, which it called "arbitrary" and a violation of a free trade deal that protects American companies' subsidiaries. For now, though, this will leave about 88,000 drivers (and 2 million customers) resorting to alternatives.
Uber makes changes in California to brace for new gig worker law
Late last month, Uber and Postmates sued California in an attempt to block AB5, the law that would reclassify many gig economy workers as employees. While that fight is not over, Uber is also preparing for the event that AB5 takes effect. The company sent an email to over 150,000 drivers and millions of passengers, letting them know of several changes the company is making in California.
Uber's latest safety solution is a PIN code for your ride
Uber is taking more steps to prevent riders from getting into the wrong car. As of this week, all passengers in the US and Canada will have the option of supplying a PIN code to their driver to verify that they're in the right vehicle. Enable the feature in your settings and you can require PIN verification for every ride, or just for night trips (9PM to 6AM). The trip won't officially start until the driver enters the code.
Uber clears a key hurdle to buying its Middle Eastern rival
Uber is now much closer to becoming a major force in the Middle East. Egyptian regulators have approved the ridesharing giant's $3.1 billion acquisition of Careem, giving it the most significant clearance needed to complete the deal. There are still other approvals needed if the union is going to close as planned in January, but it now appears to be more a matter of time. However, this isn't a carte blanche approval -- Uber will have to abide by some conditions.
Uber founder Travis Kalanick is leaving the company's board
Former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick is taking another step back from the company he helped found. On Tuesday, Uber announced that Kalanick plans to resign from its board of directors on December 31st. Moving forward, Kalanick plans to "focus on his new business and philanthropic endeavors."
Uber can find a ride to carry your skis in 23 regions
You can't often rely on ridesharing services for skiing trips. Few cars will have a rack, and even drivers of larger vehicles might balk if you try to stow your gear in the back. With Uber, at least, this won't be a problem going forward. It's debuting an Uber Ski feature that guarantees a ride with either a roof rack or sufficient cargo space to carry your skis or snowboard. You'll pay a surcharge, but it'll beat having to rent a car (or depend on the generosity of a friend) to hit the slopes or the trail.
Twenty more women sue Lyft over 'inadequate' response to sexual assaults
More women have accused Lyft of failing to protect them against sexual assault. A group of twenty women has sued Lyft over claims they were sexually assaulted or raped when the ridesharing company let "known sexual predators" offer service. The firm's response to these problems over the past four years has been "appallingly inadequate," according to the lawsuit.
Lyft expands Grocery Access Program to Baltimore, Chicago and NYC
This spring, Lyft announced its Grocery Access Program, which provided low-income families in select cities a flat-rate ride to the grocery store. The company's goal is to make healthy food more widely available, charging an average of $2.50 per ride to partnered stores. (Lyft absorbs additional costs up to $16, so drivers have an incentive to participate.) Today, the company announced that the program will expand to serve residents in Baltimore, Chicago and the New York City area.
