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In reply to the discussion: Bashing Uber and Lyft? [View all]WhaTHellsgoingonhere
(5,252 posts)37. Fingerprints will "CRIPPLE" ridesharing! LOL Uber & Lyft are run by Ayn Randian
tantrum throwing, billionaire brats.
Updated at 2:30 p.m. after interview with Ald. Beale: A new ordinance could decimate ridesharing in Chicagoso, UberX and Lyftby requiring all rideshare drivers to get a chauffeur's license.
This ordinance, proposed by Ald. Anthony Beale (9th), would "make it nearly impossible for ridesharing to operate in the city," Lyft spokesperson Chelsea Wilson said in a statement. Uber concurs that the ordinance "threatens to take ridesharing away."
Beale told Chicagoist that really, the issue is that ridesharing has been regulated "piecemeal" in Chicago for too long. He hopes to "level the playing field" for cab companies and rideshare services. He argues that the status quo is "putting hard-working cab drivers out of business... family people who have worked for years."
"The first two years that Uber and Lyft came into the city of Chicago, they were able to operate without a business license," Beale added. "They made hundreds of millions of dollars... while they were operating illegally in the city of Chicago."
If Beale's ordinance passeswhich it could as early as April 13, though Beale predicts that City Council "shenanigans" will hold it up for a whileit would essentially prohibit the part-time rideshare drivers who currently offer cheaper-than-taxi rates and work with only a driver's license. Under the ordinance, all drivers would need to obtain a chauffeur's license, and get background-checked and fingerprinted by the city. Uber and Lyft would also have to meet the same quota as cab companies: five percent of their fleets would need to be accessible to people with disabilities.
Uber reps said in a statement that the ordinance would "force UberX driver-partners to get expensive chauffeurs licenses that are designed for full-time, professional drivers. This would eliminate low-cost options and leave only pricey chauffeur services." Uber added that Beale's ordinance would hurt customers who can't afford traditional taxis.
Lyft expressed similar sentiments in a statement provided by Wilson:
Lyft unequivocally opposes Alderman Beale's proposal to impose a penalty of over $300 on local residents who help provide safe, affordable rides to their fellow Chicagoans. The ordinance as written would make it nearly impossible for ridesharing to operate in the city. We would welcome the opportunity to instead work with Chicago leaders to preserve the economic opportunities ridesharing has brought to the city for drivers as well as local businesses and communities.
Beale questions the companies' claims that they provide affordable rides. "If that's the case, why do they surge price? Cab companies are not allowed to surge price if it's raining, snowing... [Uber and Lyft are] able to charge three times the normal amount [in those circumstances]. So who can afford that?"
He added that Lyft's estimate of the price of a chauffeur's license "sounds excessive. But if the cab drivers can get it and pay for it, why can't [Uber and Lyft]? Why don't they underwrite it? They're making enough money to do that."
Uber said in their statement that Beale's ordinance would "destroy earning opportunities" for the 35,000 part-time UberX drivers in Chicago. Uber argues that UberX provides essential jobs in areas with high unemployment20 percent of UberX drivers live on the South and West sides, the company reports.
Beale argues that rideshare driving jobs are far from lucrative. He claims that the average Uber driver only stays with the company for 2-3 months, high turnover attributable to low, highly-taxed wages.
"The fat cats at the top [of Uber and Lyft] are the ones making hundreds of millions of dollars," Beale said, while people driving for Uber have to pay taxes on the full ride fare, including the cut Uber takes. Combine that with the expense of "wear and tear" on your car, and the rideshare model isn't so sweet for drivers, from Beale's perspective.
Beale added that his ordinance is also a reaction to safety concerns about ridesharing apps. "We don't even know who they are!" he said of rideshare drivers.
As we reported in December, a rogue Lyft driver once followed a passenger who declined a ride, though he was not matched with her. It's unclear how widespread incidents like that are.
Uber has started a petition against Beale's ordinance, which has more than 10,500 signatures so far.
http://chicagoist.com/2016/03/24/ridesharing_in_chicago_could_end_if.php
30 of 50 city council members have co-signed the ordinance but Uber's Mayor, Rahm Emanuel. I thought you guys had a HUGE problem with cronism LOL, Uber is an Emanuel family business.
Uber is FOS. Their drivers are being fingered printed in NYC and the world didn't come to an end. Mayor DeBlasio is about the closest thing we have to a real Democrat today.
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but what I posted is, in your terms "absolutely false" but not once did you contradict me
Demonaut
May 2016
#6
you did say "from another thread" but without the link it was confusing, I'm glad you agree, thanks
Demonaut
May 2016
#11
thanks, the tips are more than the monetary value, it lets us know we're appreciated
Demonaut
May 2016
#8
I'm happy for him and for you and for all the people who find Uber a superior product. But you guys
WhaTHellsgoingonhere
May 2016
#53
The fact that they call themselves a union doesn't make it so. They don't do collective bargaining
Recursion
May 2016
#22
They are bargaining with the cities that regulate their rates and working conditions.
pnwmom
May 2016
#24
Funny, the Teamsters Union represents cab drivers and they think they're a union.
pnwmom
May 2016
#26
Did you catch where I mentioned the recent rule change that made that possible?
Recursion
May 2016
#27
Here is more information on how unions are engaged in COLLECTIVE BARGAINING for taxi drivers.
pnwmom
May 2016
#30
And taxi medallion owners usually have a ton of political power at the city level
Recursion
May 2016
#16
Hopefully Uber can keep a steady supply of fresh new drivers for a long time to come
FrodosPet
May 2016
#70
Where did you get your MISinformation about background checks from? Uber? Lol
WhaTHellsgoingonhere
May 2016
#23
if you taken the time to the read the entire thread you would see the requirements
Demonaut
May 2016
#39
LOL From top to bottom you're all hypocritical crybabies. You want everything on your terms.
WhaTHellsgoingonhere
May 2016
#42
What pumpkin patch do you live in? Unlike city cab drivers, Uber drivers aren't obligated to take
WhaTHellsgoingonhere
May 2016
#34
lol, this idiot term "pumpkin patch" is rather funny...and justifies my post about ignorance
Demonaut
May 2016
#40
I am glad you created this thread. People only hear Uber's side of the argument because they never
WhaTHellsgoingonhere
May 2016
#44
and continue demonstrate your lack of knowledge of the multiple sides of this issue
Demonaut
May 2016
#46
Are you an employee or a business man? Do you have a business license to operate legally in your
WhaTHellsgoingonhere
May 2016
#35
yes, I have a business license, I'm just a guy who's trying to get by until I find something better
Demonaut
May 2016
#41
Of course you have a business license because Uber drivers never lie or break the law. They never
WhaTHellsgoingonhere
May 2016
#43
Doesn't matter one fucking bit. I'm not done with you. You don't want to read anything but Uber's
WhaTHellsgoingonhere
May 2016
#49
Fingerprints will "CRIPPLE" ridesharing! LOL Uber & Lyft are run by Ayn Randian
WhaTHellsgoingonhere
May 2016
#37
Let's take this one lawsuit at a time. Uber Lie #1: Alleged Background checks
WhaTHellsgoingonhere
May 2016
#45
What is a myth? That libertarian attitudes will force us all to work for peanuts?
Jackie Wilson Said
May 2016
#58
We can't let it happen. That's why we formed a union. A year ago, City Council didn't really know
WhaTHellsgoingonhere
May 2016
#61
His Hollywood agent mogul brother was an early and big investor and stands to make at least $1B
WhaTHellsgoingonhere
May 2016
#63
I forgot to mention, the biggest single of things to come is the Fight For 15 movement
WhaTHellsgoingonhere
May 2016
#64
It's a temp job for me, and you're right, it's robbing Peter to pay Paul but I've few options
Demonaut
May 2016
#60