We’ve heard some horror stories in the past about Uber drivers dealing with no good, very bad, and otherwise terrible riders, but now we know exactly what kinds of awful behavior will get riders banned from the platform forever. [More]
ride-hailing services
Woman Drives To Uber HQ To Get Account Issue Resolved Instead Of Waiting For Emailed Responses
By 11.14.16
When you’ve got a problem that needs fixing and it’s not getting fixed fast enough, what’s an intrepid consumer to do? One woman who had an issue with her family’s Uber account was tired of waiting for customer service to email her back, so she hopped in her car and took a trip — actually, two trips — to visit Uber in person. [More]
It’s Obviously Delightful When The “You’ve Got Mail” Guy Is Your Uber Driver
By 11.7.16
There are few certainties in this world — we live, we die, that’s about it — but one thing is for sure: if the voice behind AOL’s “You’ve got mail!” greeting is your Uber driver, you’re gonna make him recite those famous words so you can post a video of it on the internet. [More]
Lyft Testing Paid Memberships That Offer Discounted Line Rides
By 10.25.16 — Updated: 10.31.16
Right now, anyone can hail a ride on Lyft or Uber, as long as they have the app installed on their phone — there are no monthly fees, just what you pay for each ride. But there could be good business in paid memberships, which is something Lyft says it’s going to test out for the month of November. [More]
Police: Miami Uber Driver Admitted He Sexually Assaulted Incapacitated Passenger
By 10.20.16 — Updated: 11.1.16
Police in Miami say an Uber driver has admitted to sexually battering a female customer while she was incapacitated after a night of drinking. [More]
You Can Now Hail A Ride Straight From Google’s Mobile Search Results
By 10.19.16
While Google already offers the option of hailing a cab or ride-service pickup from within Google Maps, the company will now let users order up a car straight from Google’s mobile search results. [More]
Lawsuit: Disability Rights Group Claims Uber Violates U.S. Wheelchair Accessibility Laws
By 10.13.16 — Updated: 11.1.16
A Chicago disability rights group is suing Uber in federal court, claiming that the transportation company doesn’t provide reliable access to vehicles equipped to handle wheelchairs, in violation of U.S. laws. [More]
Uber Thinks You Might Want To Look At A Bunch Of Ads During Your Ride
By 9.29.16
There are definitely some things people would like more of during an Uber ride — more control over music, more free cookies, etc. — but more advertising and content from brands trying to promote themselves? That might not appeal to everyone. [More]
Uber Implementing New “Selfie” Security Requirement For Drivers
By 9.23.16
In an effort to prevent drivers’ accounts from being compromised, Uber has announced a new security measure called Real-Time ID Check that will require drivers to periodically take a photo of themselves before they can sign onto the platform and accept rides. [More]
Lyft, Budweiser Team Up To Fight Drunk Driving With Free Rides In Some States
By 9.14.16
Instead of stumbling to your car after a night of drinking beer, Lyft and Budweiser want you to stumble into a chauffeured vehicle, and have teamed up to offer free rides to encourage folks to make the safer choice. [More]
Uber’s Self-Driving Pickups Start Today In Pittsburgh
By 9.14.16
The next time Pittsburgh residents hail an Uber, they could have a new option: the company is kicking off its self-driving car pickup service in the city today. [More]
Google Maps Adding Lyft, Gett To List Of Ride-Hail Options
By 9.8.16
The next time you ask Google Maps for directions, you’ll find a few more travel options: in Google’s recently-introduced tab dedicated to ride-hailing services, Lyft and Gett fares and time estimates will also be available alongside Uber, depending on where you live. [More]
Uber Driver Accused Of Creeping Around Outside Passengers’ Apartment
By 9.6.16
Another day, another story of an Uber driver going outside the bounds of a normal interaction with customers: police in St. Petersburg, FL say a man who uses the Uber platform was arrested for prowling outside the apartment of two female passengers he’d dropped off earlier. [More]
Guy Says He Was Charged $573 For A 45-Hour Uber Ride He Didn’t Take
By 9.2.16
If you took a 45-hour car ride, you’d probably remember it. Which is why a man in Chicago was confused to find he’d been charged a bucketload of money for a very long Uber trip that he never took. [More]
Uber Driver Accused Of Raping A Passenger In Atlanta
By 8.16.16
All too often we find ourselves writing about another occasion where an Uber driver is accused of assaulting a passenger, and here we are again, unfortunately: a woman in Atlanta says her driver sexually assaulted her after picking her up early Saturday morning. [More]
Lyft Will Soon Be Selling $20 Gift Cards At Starbucks Stores
By 8.9.16
In a move that its rivals haven’t tried yet, Lyft says it will start selling gift cards in a new partnership with Starbucks. [More]
Lyft Will Now Let Passengers Add An Extra Stop To Their Ride
By 8.8.16
If you’ve ever found yourself politely asking your driver if he can make an extra stop along your route — “just really quickly, I swear!” — then a new feature from Lyft may be appealing to you. [More]
Uber Passenger Claims Driver Attacked Her After Dropping Her Off
By 8.5.16
A Los Angeles woman says she doesn’t feel safe alone with Uber drivers at night, after a driver allegedly attacked her after taking her to her destination. [More]
