Business

Lyft’s new taco service: An unfair sharing economy for underpaid drivers

In the UK there is probably no better way to irritate a taxi driver than by eating a greasy, potent-smelling kebab in the back of their vehicle.

Well, good news for Lyft customers in the US, the company have now introduced Taco Mode, allowing customers from across the pond the exact same grimy, fury inducing experience, but with Taco Bell.

Lyft drivers found out about the new service along with the rest of the world when it was publicly announced. Understandably, this was met with anger from the company’s drivers who are paid by the mile, meaning they are likely to receive no compensation for this taco detour. Moreover, many were disgusted by the idea of strangers eating grubby fast food in the back of their car.

This is not the first time service providers for taxi aggregates have expressed dissatisfaction for their working conditions. Early this year Uber announced it is trying to improve relationships with drivers as declining fares have made it increasingly difficult for them to make money. Uber has recently launched what it is calling “180 days of change” in an attempt to strengthen their relationship with their drivers. As a result, Uber is now introducing a tipping service, allowing riders to tip their drivers.

“We need to give drivers a say in fare adjustments,” stated Uber’s chief operating officer, Rachel Holt. They should be “fully compensated for their time.”

These changes have come after mounting pressure from drivers who, on average, receive just above minimum wage. Moreover, only 3 percent of those who sign up as a driver are still with the company one year later. Clearly conditions have reached a boiling point for Uber drivers which has caused the company to take action.

When the sharing economy was first introduced in the form of Uber or AirBnB, it presented a great opportunity for people to benefit from buying and selling available resources. If someone needs a ride to the airport and someone else has a car and free time, the prospect of using a company like Lyft or Uber is a perfect match.

Read More: Sharing Economy Synchronicity: A Tale of Lifelong Friendships & Unexpected Connections

However, as this idea has progressed so have the businesses and their desire to compete with one another. While encouraging use from customers through low prices or better experiences, these companies have neglected their essential source of service.

If these companies want to withstand the test of time, they must understand that with a multi-sided user platform, all parties are equally important and should be treated with equal respect.

After all who is going to want to use a ride sharing app if there aren’t any drivers?

Sam Brake Guia

Sam is an energetic and passionate writer/presenter, always looking for the next adventure. In August 2016 he donated all of his possessions to charity, quit his job, and left the UK. Since then he has been on the road travelling through North, Central and South America searching for new adventures and amazing stories.

View Comments

  • I enjoy you because of all of your labor on this blog. Gloria take interest in participating in internet research and it's really obvious why. A lot of people know all about the lively ways you make simple tips and hints through your website and as well encourage participation from other individuals on this point plus our own daughter is really learning a great deal. Enjoy the rest of the new year. You have been conducting a pretty cool job.

Recent Posts

OpenAI submitted models to the hardest math test yet for AI

OpenAI published its proof attempts on February 14 for First Proof, a challenge put together…

1 day ago

The hidden costs of sedentary work: Why prevention starts at your desk

We all know that a sedentary lifestyle is harmful to our health. But recent studies…

1 day ago

Solving the headache of migrating cloud-based mailboxes for the enterprise

As organizations increasingly operate across hybrid and cloud-based email systems, migrating enterprise mailboxes has become…

1 day ago

Digital ID, programmable money pave way for ‘dystopian hellhole, horrific totalitarian regimes’: ESN at European Parliament

Digital ID, programmable money like Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), and AI are paving the…

3 days ago

Elon Musk says tariffs make solar artificially expensive in the U.S. But there is much more at play: Op-ed

Earlier this year, Elon Musk was direct about what comes next for the global economy:…

4 days ago

Britive Unified PAM Integrates with New Extended Plan for AWS Security Hub

Britive, provider of a unified privileged access management (PAM) platform, today announced its unified PAM…

4 days ago