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"Not only have most Americans never used Uber or Lyft, a majority are unaware of the debate over how to regulate the services, though the users of the services closely follow the debate."
There is significant opposition to ride sharing services from taxi unions. In certain cities, services like Uber and Lyft are banned altogether. My first experience with opposition to Uber occurred when I was abroad in Madrid. The taxi union there ran a campaign to oust Uber, and they were successful!
What is your opinion to unions that arise out of situations similar to this one? Are these types of unions beneficial or harmful to the economy? Do Uber and Lyft deserve this opposition, even though many say they simply cater to a niche market?
Were you aware of the term "gig economy" prior to reading this article?
I have heard of the term "gig economy" before. I am more concerned services like Uber will actually hurt people who drive for them in the long run. No other type of job requires you to bring a 20K+ piece of equipment to work and personal auto insurance. Also, because Uber drivers are contractors there are no benefits and they must pay self employment taxes. If you mix all this together with the fact that cars depreciate I do not think Uber drivers are too profitable in most cities. This may trap a lot of people financially in the long run.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kenny, and I think that the people who drive for Uber and Lyft maybe be the ones being hurt more. Specifically the issue of the drivers being contractors is a major controversial point. For example, I think in several states (such as California) Uber drivers are actually considered employees to provide them with extra benefits. However, this could easily backfire and hurt Uber as whole and those drivers who rely on their personal vehicle and auto insurance could be put back out of work.
ReplyDeleteI think this will hurt the consumers more than anyone. Uber and Lyft solve a need for consumers to get from point A to point B much faster. Taxi services are much slower than these two services. I understand that they might still jobs away from taxi drivers, but that is just the result of this innovation.
ReplyDeleteI've read an article about Korean taxi union protesting against uber and other type of similar services. Uber was forced to move out of South Korea last year and it tries to get back and relaunched a premium taxi service. Opposition against companies like uber is inevitable because of continuous technology advancement.
ReplyDeleteWhen I visited New Orleans this spring break, I remember taking taxi from the airport to the city simply because Uber drivers were not allowed for rides from the airport to the city. There was a flat rate between all the taxis, but it was still sevetal times more expensive than taking Uber.
ReplyDeleteAs somebody who uses Uber or Lyft at least once a week, I think unions are hurting the consumers. These transportation services are just meeting the need of consumers with lower price that became feasible due to technology advancement. It is interesting how people perceive Uber/Lyft drivers as individual contractors, instead of workers under the company. I agree with Jen that such opposition is inevitable; as technology advances, consumers will continue finding services with lower prices.