F4--none of the drivers expect Uber and Lyft to be high-paying jobs. They only want to be treated fairly.

When a company pays you x, then gives you a 30% cut, then another 30% cut, and then another, etc., workers notice the drastic reduction in income. What irks the drivers even more, though, is how these companies haven't lowered their fare rates, and instituted policies forbidding cash tipping, so the company can swipe the tip money for themselves rather than pay it to the drivers.

Read up on what Uber in particular has done--pretty despicable in some instances.

The drivers aren't shackled to the platform though. They do have the ability to leave and find other work. Many left Uber and went to Lyft--who was better, for a while. Now even Lyft is tightening up. And since Lyft just IPO'd, and Uber is this week, both will be held accountable to shareholders which likely means further tightening.

What boggles my mind is both of these companies have issues with profitability, when their drivers bear the lion's share of burden. Sure, these companies run a "matchmaking" server, for customers and drivers, and payment processing, tracking, etc., but I'd think by now they'd be quite profitable given the increased take from their drivers. But truth is, both are pouring large amounts of money into self-driving tech--which is very smart from a management point of view, as once they eliminate the workers, they cut out a large cost.

Last summer, Lyft ran a test with Aptiv, a Delphi auto spinoff, who specializes in developing self-driving car technology. In Las Vegas, Nevada, they delivered 5000 passengers to their destination, safely, using robotic cabs. Pretty impressive. Vegas is flat, and a grid, but definitely prophetic of the future of cabs for hire.

Last edited by Mr_Blastman; 05/08/19 04:20 PM.