Video above: The best way to trip share safely Life is beginning to look extra prefer it was earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic began, however some say that discovering a rideshare driver continues to be troublesome.Kim Griffith, who has been an Uber and Lyft driver in Massachusetts for the previous 5 years, says she was making as much as $2,000 per week at one level. However when the pandemic hit, rides and riders disappeared.”It is simply not worthwhile to select up passengers or do deliveries,” Griffith mentioned. “Drivers are literally shedding cash. This pandemic has, mainly, financially ruined them.”Griffith additionally says a declared state of emergency in Massachusetts precipitated surge pricing to be placed on maintain, which meant that drivers couldn’t improve their charges throughout sure occasions of the day — a devastating blow to the rideshare enterprise.”I used to be speaking to at least one driver who’s mainly dwelling in a automotive that he is leasing simply in hopes of enterprise choosing up extra,” she mentioned.Uber mentioned they’re providing drivers a money incentive to get extra drivers on the street, together with a three-month wage improve that they’ve known as a “stimulus cost,” however it’s not cash supplied by the federal authorities and the corporate says it didn’t obtain any federal stimulus funding.In Massachusetts, Uber can also be working to reinstate surge pricing by lobbying on the State Home.”Surge pricing ensures that riders have entry to inexpensive and dependable transportation and that drivers can earn extra on journeys throughout busy occasions,” reads an announcement from Uber. “We hope to work in the direction of an answer with the state that enables for an inexpensive quantity of surge pricing through the continued state of emergency.”Uber mentioned the common wait time for a trip in Boston is now 40% longer than Philadelphia and 150% longer than New York Metropolis.”We’re seeing massive will increase in demand for rides, as vaccines roll out and other people prepare to start out transferring once more,” a Lyft spokesperson wrote in an announcement. “That is nice information for drivers, who’re busier and incomes greater than they have been even earlier than the pandemic.”However for drivers like Griffith, it will not be price it to get again behind the wheel of a rideshare automobile.”Some drivers are going again to high school, and a few drivers are simply ready and seeing if they’re going to increase the charges when the state of emergency goes to finish,” Griffith mentioned.Rideshare drivers are additionally holding out hope for a “invoice of rights” to be handed on Beacon Hill, which would come with a $20/hour minimal wage, a proper to arrange and freedom from passenger harassment.One driver advised sister station WCVB that they imagine herd immunity in opposition to COVID-19 will doubtless occur lengthy earlier than a rideshare driver invoice of rights could be handed.Each Uber and Lyft don’t launch detailed ridership information.
Video above: The best way to trip share safely
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Life is beginning to look extra prefer it was earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic began, however some say that discovering a rideshare driver continues to be troublesome.
Kim Griffith, who has been an Uber and Lyft driver in Massachusetts for the previous 5 years, says she was making as much as $2,000 per week at one level. However when the pandemic hit, rides and riders disappeared.
“It is simply not worthwhile to select up passengers or do deliveries,” Griffith mentioned. “Drivers are literally shedding cash. This pandemic has, mainly, financially ruined them.”
Griffith additionally says a declared state of emergency in Massachusetts precipitated surge pricing to be placed on maintain, which meant that drivers couldn’t improve their charges throughout sure occasions of the day — a devastating blow to the rideshare enterprise.
“I used to be speaking to at least one driver who’s mainly dwelling in a automotive that he is leasing simply in hopes of enterprise choosing up extra,” she mentioned.
Uber mentioned they’re providing drivers a money incentive to get extra drivers on the street, together with a three-month wage improve that they’ve known as a “stimulus cost,” however it’s not cash supplied by the federal authorities and the corporate says it didn’t obtain any federal stimulus funding.
In Massachusetts, Uber can also be working to reinstate surge pricing by lobbying on the State Home.
“Surge pricing ensures that riders have entry to inexpensive and dependable transportation and that drivers can earn extra on journeys throughout busy occasions,” reads an announcement from Uber. “We hope to work in the direction of an answer with the state that enables for an inexpensive quantity of surge pricing through the continued state of emergency.”
Uber mentioned the common wait time for a trip in Boston is now 40% longer than Philadelphia and 150% longer than New York Metropolis.
“We’re seeing massive will increase in demand for rides, as vaccines roll out and other people prepare to start out transferring once more,” a Lyft spokesperson wrote in an announcement. “That is nice information for drivers, who’re busier and incomes greater than they have been even earlier than the pandemic.”
However for drivers like Griffith, it will not be price it to get again behind the wheel of a rideshare automobile.
“Some drivers are going again to high school, and a few drivers are simply ready and seeing if they’re going to increase the charges when the state of emergency goes to finish,” Griffith mentioned.
Rideshare drivers are additionally holding out hope for a “invoice of rights” to be handed on Beacon Hill, which would come with a $20/hour minimal wage, a proper to arrange and freedom from passenger harassment.
One driver advised sister station WCVB that they imagine herd immunity in opposition to COVID-19 will doubtless occur lengthy earlier than a rideshare driver invoice of rights could be handed.
Each Uber and Lyft don’t launch detailed ridership information.
