Posted on 05/27/2016 12:27:58 PM PDT by MichCapCon
Ridesharing companies operate in six cities in Michigan and have provided job opportunities and rides to thousands of Michiganders. But they currently operate in a legal gray area, putting drivers at risk. We recently spoke to a handful of drivers for Uber about their experiences and why it is important to establish statewide regulations to protect the service.
“Uber saves lives,” said Rebecca and Babacar. Both drive in Grand Rapids and discussed how the ease and convenience of ridesharing apps provide an attractive alternative to driving drunk. But Larry, who drives on the other side of the state, recalled a different experience: “I got a ticket in Ann Arbor for operating a limousine without state certification,” he said.
Kevin, a father of four whose extra income from Uber saved his family’s house, had a question for lawmakers: “Are you going to be a state that companies look towards expanding to, or are they going to be a last resort because they know it’s going to take so much money to get in here and do things?”
Uber just spend $9,000,000 on a referendum election in Austin to ease regulations and lost 56-44.
In the end, they spent the $235.00 per vote.
The opposition spent $2.00 per vote.
regulations don’t protect drivers, guns protect drivers.
regulations protect only union taxi drivers and protect the revenue streams and corrupt licensing authority of the governments that seek to regulate.
And now they’re crying because they voted against Uber and Lyte, thinking the companies would cave and follow the new rules.
But uber and Lyte just pulled out and left, calling their bluff.
Now the people are suddenly noticing how much better Uber and Lyte were than the taxi companies, where people sometimes wait hours for a ride.
consequences, sometimes they hurt.
I considered driving for Uber. After looking around on the net I saw that it’s a ripoff. After expenses, you’ll make like 2 dollars an hour, maybe more sometimes. AND Uber doesn’t let people tip on the card. That’s BS. No thanks. I’m not a chump.
Yep, they’ll bite you in the butt every time.
I believe you are speaking of Lyft, and not Lyte.
It does not appear the city bluffed, it was Uber and Lyft that called for the referendum election to force the city to meet their demands and it was the people of Austin that overwhelming rejected Uber and Lyft’s demands and ultimatum.
Uber and Lyft failed as the spent $9,000,000 and only 7% of voters turned out to support them.
“considered driving for Uber. After looking around on the net I saw that it’s a ripoff. After expenses, you’ll make like 2 dollars an hour, maybe more sometimes. AND Uber doesn’t let people tip on the card. That’s BS. No thanks. I’m not a chump.”
And while doing all of that, you will destroy your vehicle and place yourself at risk of liability lawsuits.
“And while doing all of that, you will destroy your vehicle and place yourself at risk of liability lawsuits.”
Recent call we ran: Uber driver in a full sized GM pickup carrying 2 passengers was hit broadside by a GM pickup who ran a red light. Both trucks likely totaled. No injuries.
Passengers walked the final 1/2 mile to their destination.
Does that count against your Uber driver score?
Was it worth it to the Uber driver?
No, and the Uber driver most likely are a large chunk of his pick-ups’ value, all for a $8.00 ride of which he collected 70%. I
Right. Thanks. Forgot about the insurance issue. I can't believe anyone is actually doing this.
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