In certain markets, Uber will charge a “surge” rate during busy times that is in excess of what a passenger normally pays for a ride. But one Chicago Uber customer says she had no idea she’d be charged $925, nearly eight times the standard rate, for her lengthy trip. [More]
ride-hailing apps
Lyft, Budweiser Partnering Up Again To Fight Drunk Driving With Free Rides
By 9.20.17
Just like last year, Lyft and Budweiser are teaming up to offer drinkers a safer option for getting home than climbing behind the wheel of their car: They’ll be handing out 150,000 round-trip rides in some states through the end of the year. [More]
Uber Drivers Have Already Received $50 Million In Tips Through The App
By 8.23.17
After a parade of scandals and a campaign urging users to delete its app, the ride-hailing app Uber has implemented some changes that the company hopes will make drivers happier, including in-app tipping. Since that was added to the app, the company reports that drivers have already received $50 million in tips. [More]
The #DeleteUber Campaign Led To 60% New User Bump For Lyft
By 8.15.17
Early this year, Uber found itself the target of a social media campaign urging people to #DeleteUber, prompted indirectly by a travel ban proposed by the federal government. Unsurprisingly, that movement has proved fruitful for the ride-hailing service’s biggest competitor, Lyft. [More]
No, Travis Kalanick Is Not Going To Be Uber’s CEO Again
By 8.8.17
Months after Uber’s board made CEO Travis Kalanick’s leave of absence permanent, rumors have begun swirling that that he would soon be returning to his former position — buzz he may have started himself. But there will be no comeback for Kalanick. [More]
You Can Now Request An Uber Ride For Your Friend Who Refuses To Uber
By 6.27.17
Whether you need to get your drunk friend who refuses to use ride-sharing apps home safely, or order up a lift for your mom when she locks herself out of the car, Uber will now let users request a ride for other people. [More]
Judge Orders Drunk Drivers To Install Uber, Lyft Apps While On Probation
By 6.14.17
In an effort to keep people under the influence off the roads when they’ve been drinking, a judge in Ohio is ordering folks who have been convicted of drunk driving to install ride-hailing apps like Uber or Lyft. [More]
Uber CEO Takes Leave Of Absence As Internal Report Criticizes “Always Be Hustlin'” Culture
By 6.13.17
Uber Owes Some NYC Drivers Up To $45M After Miscalculating Commissions
By 5.23.17 — Updated: 5.25.17
Uber has to open up its wallet and pay an estimated $45 million to its drivers in New York City, after it miscalculated drivers’ share of fares for more than two and a half years. [More]
Is The Honeymoon Over For Pittsburgh & Uber’s Driverless Car Program?
By 5.22.17
Compared to Uber’s ugly, contentious one-week test of self-driving cars in San Francisco , the ridesharing company’s nine-month-old self-driving program in Pittsburgh has been rather peaceful. But after a number of broken promises, some city leaders are reportedly regretting this arrangement. [More]
Drivers For Ride-Hailing App Juno Claim Company Misled Them With Promises Of Stock
By 5.16.17
Last year, drivers for ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft were excited about a new competing app, Juno, which promised to grant drivers stock in the company along with lower commissions and in-app tipping. Juno was recently acquired by yet another service, Gett, and the drivers have seen their equity evaporate, leading them to file a complaint with federal regulators. [More]
Uber Driver Charged With Raping Passenger
By 4.27.17
An Uber driver in California has been charged with raping a female passenger in his car in March, after he picked her up from a company function. [More]
NYC Will Require Uber App To Allow Tipping (Eventually)
By 4.17.17 — Updated: 5.9.17
Tipping is a confusing issue when it comes to ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft in New York City. Drivers are allowed to accept cash tips, but they aren’t allowed to ask for them. What’s more, the Lyft app includes the ability to put that tip on your credit card, but Uber’s app is still tip-less. That will change later this year, as NYC will require Uber to include tipping on its mobile platform. [More]
State Claims Uber Is Slow To Suspend Drivers Accused Of Working Drunk
By 4.14.17 — Updated: 5.10.17
Although many people use Uber to avoid getting behind the wheel after having a few too many drinks, regulators in California say the ride-hailing company put passengers and the public at risk by failing to quickly boot drivers accused of accused of working while under the influence from its platform. [More]
Police: Uber Driver Sexually Assaulted Passenger, More Victims May Be Out There
By 4.3.17
An Uber driver in southern California has been arrested “on suspicion of various sexual assault crimes” after he was accused of parking his van and sexually assaulting a sleeping passenger near her home. Now police have put the word out that they’re looking for other possible victims. [More]
Lyft Adding Option To Let Passengers Round Up Their Fares For Charity Donations
By 3.27.17 — Updated: 5.10.17
For decades, retailers have had charity donation jars at checkout points, giving customers the option to quickly support a helpful organization with the change from their purchase. Now Lyft is looking to apply that same model to ridesharing, by letting passengers round up their fares with the extra money going to non-profit groups. [More]
Austin’s First SXSW Without Uber And Lyft Not Going Well
By 3.13.17
Ride-hailing apps Uber and Lyft exited Austin last May, meaning hundreds of thousands of attendees at the currently running South By Southwest festival are seeking new ways to get around the Texas capital. Unfortunately, some say the companies trying to fill the Uber/Lyft void are not ready for the big time. [More]
