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]
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Uber Passenger Dies After Altercation With Driver
By 8.14.17
A Florida Uber passenger died after one of the ride-hailing company’s drivers allegedly punched him during a dispute. [More]
Uber Debuts In-App Messaging For Those Times You Can’t Find Your Driver
By 8.10.17
For years, texting has been the preferred — and sometimes only — method Uber drivers and passengers have used to connect, from confirming the pickup location to notifying passengers their ride has arrived. Now, instead of sending these messages to your text service, the company has created its own in-app messaging service. [More]
Report: Uber Getting Out Of The Car Leasing Business After Losing $9K Per Car
By 8.8.17
A few years back, Uber had an idea for how to attract more drivers to the ride-hailing service: Lease cars to people who either don’t have cars or whose personal vehicles don’t meet Uber’s standards. But not only has the program been criticized by some drivers who say the monthly payments are too high, it’s also apparently been a big money-loser for Uber, which is now reportedly looking to get out of the leasing business in the U.S. [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]
4 Things To Know About Uber’s Singapore Leasing Program & Recall Issues
By 8.4.17
For nearly two years, Uber has offered a car leasing program that aims to remedy one of the biggest obstacles for those who wanted to sign up as a driver, but didn’t haven anything to, you know, actually drive. While some Uber drivers have expressed their frustrations with the Xchange Leasing program, a new report suggests that those taking part in similar programs outside of the U.S. are facing more than high monthly payments; they’re dealing with allegedly defective and dangerous vehicles. [More]
Uber Is Charging Riders A $15 Fee In Some Cities To Have Drivers Return Their Lost Items
By 7.26.17
Realizing that you’ve left something precious in a hired car — a bag, a phone, a clarinet — is not a great feeling. But in order to turn that frown upside down and have your stuff returned to you, you’ll have to pay Uber $15 in some cities. [More]
Uber Suspends Driver Accused Of Getting Busy During Customer’s Ride
By 7.25.17
Public displays of affection can be an awkward person for anyone not involved in the action. But one Uber passenger says his experience went from beyond uncomfortable to downright dangerous when his driver engaged in sexual activity with a woman during a trip. [More]
Ride-Hailing Apps In NYC One Step Away From In-App Tipping
By 7.20.17
A month ago, Uber rolled out optional in-app tipping nationwide, which made it look a little more driver-friendly while stuck in a traffic jam of terrible publicity. We’re sure that change had nothing to do with what happened in New York’s City Council today: A bill that would require ride-hailing apps to let customers tip within the app passed the transportation committee and is on its way to the mayor’s desk. [More]
Lawsuit Claims Uber Is “99.9% Inaccessible” To People With Mobility Disabilities
By 7.18.17
How hard is it for someone to get a wheelchair-accessible Uber in New York City? According to a new lawsuit, it’s pretty much impossible. [More]
Federal Court Says Uber Minimum Wage Lawsuit Can Go Ahead, Add More Plaintiffs
By 7.13.17
There’s been a tiny bit of progress for Uber drivers seeking “employee” status along with reimbursement of vehicle expenses and back pay. While other cases have simply settled for large cash payments, one lawsuit that could cover multiple drivers is working its way through the federal court system in North Carolina, and a judge is letting the case go forward as a conditional action under the Fair Labor Standards Act. [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]
Uber Founder, CEO Travis Kalanick Steps Down, Makes Leave Of Absence Permanent
By 6.21.17
In the wake of a damning internal investigation that prompted Uber CEO Travis Kalanick to take an immediate leave of absence from the company he co-founded, that temporary break has been made permanent. [More]
Uber Will Soon Let All Drivers Accept Tips
By 6.20.17
Amid increasing tensions between Uber drivers and its “Always be hustlin'” corporate bro-verlords, the currently CEO-less company has decided to institute a big change that could result in drivers taking home more money: For the first time, drivers nationwide will be allowed to accept tips from passengers via the Uber app. [More]
Rape Victim Sues Uber After Learning Company Exec Obtained, Shared Her Medical Records
By 6.15.17
The 2014 rape of an Uber passenger by her driver was in the news again recently when it was reported that an Uber executive had not only obtained the woman’s medical records in an attempt to discredit her, but shared them with others at the company. Now the passenger is suing the ride-hailing service for invading her privacy. [More]
Report: Feds Investigating Uber Over Privacy Violations
By 6.14.17
Uber’s awful week month year may have just gotten a bit worse, as sources report the ride-hailing company is now in the crosshairs of federal regulators. [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]
