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]
transportation
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]
Uber Driver Charged With Raping Unconscious Teenage Passenger
By 11.10.16
An Uber driver in Laguna Beach, CA has been arrested and charged with raping an unconscious 17-year-old passenger in the back seat of his car. [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]
Uber Teaming Up With GM To Offer Car-Sharing Program For Drivers
By 11.2.16
Although GM has already invested $500 million in Lyft and has a $99/week program to rent cars to drivers on that platform, it seems the carmaker isn’t interested in playing favorites: GM has now teamed up with Uber to offer a car-sharing program for its drivers as well. [More]
Uber Has Plans For An On-Demand Flying Car Service
By 10.27.16
Every time some company comes up with an idea that’s sort of like a flying car, we have to ask, “Yeah, but what about living like The Jetsons?” Uber has apparently been thinking about this too, announcing that it’s been working on a flying car project. [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]
London Uber Drivers Must Pass English Language Test
By 10.18.16
Operating a worldwide ride-sharing platform means that Uber often finds itself disputing local rules and regulations. Most of these battles have been about taxes permits, insurance, or background checks for drivers, but a new directive handed down by London’s transportation agency requires drivers to pass an English language proficiency exam. [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]
Attaching A “Love Lock” To The Brooklyn Bridge Can Now Earn You A $100 Fine
By 10.7.16
All we need is love, or so they say, but the New York City doesn’t need padlocks declaring your heart’s desire on the Brooklyn Bridge anymore. [More]
Google Expands Waze Ride-Sharing Test To San Francisco
By 9.30.16
What’s that sound? It’s Google knocking on Uber and Lyft’s doors to tell them it’s come out to play: the technology giant is taking one step further into providing transportation by expanding its pilot ride-sharing program to San Francisco. [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 Acquires Trucking Company, Wants To Sell Freight Services
By 9.28.16 — Updated: 5.26.17
Consumers know Uber as a replacement for short-range taxis, but the company has other transportation goals. The company recently acquired Otto, a startup that’s developing self-driving trucks. While autonomous vehicles zooming freight across the country are its long-term goal, Uber plans get into the long-haul trucking business long before self-driving trucks are the norm. [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]
Former Driver For Uber, Lyft Charged With Sexually Assaulting Several Female Passengers
By 9.22.16
A man who used to drive for both Uber and Lyft has been accused of sexually assaulting several women who hailed rides on the platforms, and investigators believe there are likely more victims that have yet to come forward. [More]
Woman Claims She Was Attacked By Uber Driver After Refusing Unsafe Dropoff
By 9.19.16
A Chicago woman is considering suing Uber after she claims a driver on the platform tried to force her out of the car at unsafe dropoff locations, a situation that she says eventually turned violent. [More]
