Bill giving protections to Uber drivers, others moves ahead
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California lawmakers sent the governor a bill Wednesday that would give new wage and benefit protections to workers at so-called gig economy companies such as Uber and Lyft where people pick up jobs on their own schedule.
Uber booting bad riders
Uber riders with consistently low ratings may get booted off of the service, as the tech company says it wants its passengers to respect drivers.
Uber IPO
Uber slumped more than 7% in its first day of trading as a public company on the New York Stock Exchange on Friday, debuting slightly below its initial share pricing and sinking further amid market volatility and concerns about its ability to transform from tech darling to profitable mainstay.
Drivers to strike
About 10,000 for-hire drivers affiliated with ride-hailing apps—such as Uber, Lyft and Via—are planning to stage a kind of strike for two hours Wednesday morning. Later, many of these drivers plan to protest outside Uber's New York headquarters.
New congestion surcharge now in effect
Taxis, black cars, Uber, Lyft, etc. are all now charging a new congestion surcharge.
Manhattan taxi surcharge
A judge has lifted a temporary restraining order that blocked the state's congestion surcharges on taxis and other for-hire vehicles in Manhattan. The new ride fees were supposed to start Jan. 1, but drivers sued over the proposed fee of $2.50 for yellow taxis and $2.75 for other for-hire vehicles, including Uber and Lyft vehicles. The money raised would go to fund the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Man attacks Uber driver with bike lock
Disturbing video shows a man using a bike lock to smash the front and back windows of an Uber driver's car. Cops say he also attacked the driver.
Taxi surcharge blocked
A New York judge has temporarily blocked the state's congestion surcharges on taxis and other for-hire vehicles. Thursday's ruling comes after drivers sued over the proposed fee of $2.50 for yellow taxis and $2.75 for green cabs. The surcharges were set to take effect Jan. 1.
Cap on new ride-hail cars
New York City will temporarily cap the number of licenses for ride-hail vehicles, becoming the first American city to restrict the number of those vehicles, many of which are affiliated with ride-share apps such as Uber, Lyft, Juno, and others.
Tensions ahead of cab vote
Tensions are running high for drivers who operate for-hire vehicles and those with medallions in New York City. This Wednesday is a big day for all of them. The City Council will vote on legislation intended to curb the number of ride-hailing services.
Cabbies rally
New York City taxi drivers rallied outside City Hall on Tuesday, demanding that the City Council step in and regulate app-based cars for hire. They claim that services such as Uber and Lyft are destroying their business and taking a heavy toll on their lives. The cries were for all drivers to come together in memory of five yellow cab, livery, and black car drivers who the Taxi Workers Alliance says have taken their lives in the last five months.
Uber responds to protest
Yellow taxi and black livery drivers say Uber and Lyft are ruining their livelihood, prompting some drivers to take their own lives. Uber said it is "deeply saddened" by the suicides but defended its business: "Uber has worked hard to grow the transportation pie, ensuring that all New Yorkers can get a ride in minutes."
Taxi drivers rally at City Hall
Yellow taxi and black car drivers say they are literally dying trying to survive. Colleagues say that four drivers have committed suicide in the past few months because of financial ruin. Four coffins placed outside City Hall represent the drivers who have died by suicide in four months. The New York Taxi Workers Alliance and cab drivers say despair is growing in their industry because of unfair competition from companies like Uber and Lyft. Alliance President Bhairavi Desai said they are "sick and tired of burying [their] brothers."
Emily Chang, author of 'Brotopia'
Emily Chang spent two years interviewing 300 people about the so-called bro culture in Silicon Valley for her hot new book Brotopia. She stopped by Fox 5 to talk to me about the book and why it's beyond time we get more women in tech and break up the boys' club. Brotopia is about how women have been left out of the greatest wealth creation in the world, Emily says. In her mind, the title captures the idea that Silicon Valley is a modern utopia where anyone can change the world or make their own rules--if they're a man.
Yellow taxi bill
The New York City Council is weighing a bill that could double the number of yellow cabs on the streets. The bill would allow medallion owners to add a second vehicle under their current medallions. City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez said this is necessary for the taxi industry to survive against growing ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft.
Summer of Hell: Commuters turn to ridesharing
As Amtrak goes into summer repair mode, Penn Station is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get. With train service that commuters have to patchwork their way through and subway delays they may or may not have time for, it is easy to see why they turning toward rideshare services.
NYC traffic is terrible and getting worse
Transportation engineer Sam Schwartz would know. Known as "Gridlock Sam," he is one of the leading transportation experts in the country. He says a major contributor is the surge of car services such as Uber, Lyft, and Via in the past two years. Schwartz said these services have grown by 500 percent and have now eclipsed the number of trips that yellow taxi drivers make.
Westchester County ride-sharing compromise
This spring, New York passed regulations allowing Uber, Lyft and other ride-sharing companies to operate throughout the state starting Thursday. Many Westchester County leaders expressed concern the law failed to require sufficient screening of drivers, leading to a compromise. County Executive Rob Astorino stood with representatives of Uber and Lyft Tuesday afternoon and announced an optional fingerprinting program for Westchester's ride-sharing drivers.
New Uber fees
Uber is giving its drivers what they've been asking for: tips. You will soon be allowed to give your driver a tip through the app. And that is not the only way that drivers will be able to make more money. f you're an Uber user and you're prompt, then you have nothing to worry about. But if you're someone who's usually late, get ready to pay more money.
Long Island ride-hailing apps
Open your Uber app or Lyft app on Long Island and within minutes you can usually get a ride. But drivers aren't legally allowed to operate here. That is about to change now that Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation allowing ridesharing throughout the state. Westchester County and Nassau County haven't made a decision on participation but Suffolk County is already on board, calling it a game changer for the economy.