Hundreds of Uber and Lyft drivers took to the streets of Manhattan to protest against the lockouts imposed by the ride-sharing apps. The New York Taxi Workers Alliance reported that over 1,000 drivers participated in the demonstration, causing traffic congestion from 30th Street to 48th Street on 11th Avenue. The drivers demanded fair pay and the ability to work without disruptions.
The lockouts initiated by Uber and Lyft have left many drivers unable to accept rides for hours or even days at a time. According to the NYTWA, these lockouts are a strategy used by the companies to manipulate a key metric that determines the rates earned by drivers. By locking drivers out of the apps, Uber and Lyft can inflate a metric known as the “utilization rate,” which allows them to pay drivers lower rates per minute and per mile while claiming that drivers are picking up more fares.
The impact of these lockouts has been devastating for drivers, costing them millions of dollars in income and pushing them to financial distress. Many drivers have resorted to taking out loans or maxing out their credit cards just to cover their basic expenses. One driver mentioned in the article shared how he can no longer afford to fix his damaged car after experiencing a significant loss of income.
Despite a deal brokered by the city this summer to end the lockouts, drivers continue to face challenges. The NYTWA has criticized the deal as “phony,” as it resulted in Uber agreeing to end lockouts on the condition that Lyft would increase them to improve its utilization rate. The current mayor, Eric Adams, has faced criticism from drivers, with one calling him a “crooked mayor” who should be in jail.
In addition to protests, the NYTWA is advocating for regulatory changes to protect drivers from exploitation by the ride-sharing companies. They are supporting a bill in the City Council that would require companies to provide a valid reason before deactivating a driver, essentially imposing a permanent lockout. This bill aims to protect drivers’ livelihoods and ensure that they are not unfairly dismissed without due process.
Both Uber and Lyft have expressed concerns about the city’s minimum pay formula and have called for reforms. However, drivers continue to struggle with lockouts and inadequate pay, prompting further calls for action from regulators and lawmakers. The fight for fair treatment and compensation for Uber and Lyft drivers in New York City continues as they demand justice and respect for their essential work in the transportation industry.
