The top hits bottom, the fight for standards, and Lyft goes into flight. LegalRideshare breaks it down.
Drivers say the worst tippers….are the rich. Business Insider reported:
Ray, a 57-year-old Tampa Bay gig worker of seven years who drives at least 50 hours a week for Uber, Lyft, and Instacart, told Insider that roughly one out of four of his riders tip — and that those who do usually only leave a buck or two. But he said that customers who appear to be wealthy are particularly poor tippers.
“They have absolutely no problem paying for expensive meals at places where we pick them up, paying waiters there tips,” he said, “and yet when we get them safely home after a night of drinking, they can't even be bothered to do the same with us?”
When reached for comment, an Uber spokesperson told Insider that tipping has risen considerably for both Uber and Uber Eats over the last few years. A DoorDash spokesperson said that the majority of customers leave tips.
Scooters in Denver get an upgrade. 9News reported:
Lyft said the new scooter offers several features not included in its predecessor, including dual handbrakes, turn signals, a phone holder and charger.
Dual handbrakes offer riders more control, while turn signals allow riders to indicate intent to others. Lyft said the scooters also have visual cues on restrictions such as slow zones, no-parking and no-ride zones.
Other features include a new 400-watt motor with a 50-mile range battery, a new suspension system for a smoother ride, new airless tires with anti-slip tread patterns, and a larger front tire for increased stability.
You can now book a flight with Uber. The Verge adds:
Uber is launching a new flight booking tool for its UK customers as part of the company's wider efforts to expand into other travel markets. Hopper, a Canadian-based travel agency, and Uber announced the partnership to sell national and international flights through the ride-sharing app on Wednesday.
Hopper says that Uber customers can book a flight as they would with most travel platforms by inputting their travel details, destination, and dates to find their desired flights. For major airlines, users will also be able to select and pay for their seats directly within the Uber app.
Should Uber be held to the same standards as taxis? LegalRideshare's very own Attorney Bryant Greening thinks so. From Crain's:
As a personal-injury attorney in Illinois, I have witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of rideshare accidents and assaults. That is why it is crucial for ride-hail companies like Uber and Lyft to prioritize safety and be held accountable for any failures in safety measures.
By classifying these companies as “common carriers,” they would be legally required to ensure the safety of their passengers through measures such as comprehensive background checks, regular vehicle maintenance, and safety training for drivers. This change would provide greater protection for passengers and ensure that ride-hail companies take their responsibility to provide safe transportation seriously.
Lyft adds a new airport feature. Gizmodo reported:
Lyft's CEO David Risher announced the company is capitalizing on the opportunity to make travel as easy as possible by ensuring the requested ride is waiting as soon as the traveler walks out of the airport. Lyft spokeswoman Stephanie Rice told Gizmodo in a phone call that the airport feature is intended to remove anxiety and stress for travelers.
After landing at the airport, the traveler opens the app to call a car and will be met with a prompt asking if they have checked bags. Lyft will then match them with a driver and instead of waiting for an uncertain amount of time after exiting the airport, a driver will instead be assigned to arrive as they get closer to the pickup location.
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