Science fiction is one step closer to reality as several companies debut working prototypes for flying cars.
The American start-up Aska showed off its A5 model at the 2023 Consumer Electronics show. The A-5 is an electric vertical take off and landing vehicle, roughly the size of a standard SUV, that is reportedly capable of driving at 70 mph on the road and flying at speeds of up to 150 mph.
“What we see here is a revolution that happens once in a hundred years.” Guy Kaplinsky, Co-Founder and CEO of Aska, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryB3O5YzkwM">said</a> during the presentation “People were dreaming about flying cars for years … what you see here is a drivable vehicle, and vertical takeoff and conventional takeoff, that can drive on the road and take off very quickly.”
Flying cars have fascinated the public for decades — &#8220;The Jetsons&#8221; helped popularize the concept back in 1962, but the idea is almost as old as the airplane itself, possibly older. One of the first attempts was made by <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/scientific-american-debunks-claim-gustave-whitehead-was-first-in-flight/">Gustave Whitehead</a> around 1901, before the Wright brothers’ breakthrough with the first controlled flight in 1903. Whitehead’s machine didn’t work, but by 1937 the <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=WScDAAAAMBAJ&amp;q=%22Plane%20Sheds%20Wing%20To%20Run%20On%20Ground&amp;pg=PA52#v=snippet&amp;q=%22Plane%20Sheds%20Wing%20To%20Run%20On%20Ground&amp;f=false">Arrowbile</a> had been created — the W-5 model could remove its wing and function as a car, but only 5 were made — it wasn’t commercially viable.
<div id="attachment_486125" style="width: 586px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-486125" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-486125" src="https://www.dailywire.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GettyImages-517326604-248x300.jpg" alt="" width="576" height="696" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/01/GettyImages-517326604-248x300.jpg 248w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/01/GettyImages-517326604-476x576.jpg 476w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/01/GettyImages-517326604-768x929.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/01/GettyImages-517326604-1270x1536.jpg 1270w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/01/GettyImages-517326604-1693x2048.jpg 1693w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px" />The Waterman Arrowbile(Photo by Bennett via Getty Images)</div>
Throughout the late twentieth century several models of roadable airplanes were created, but none were available to the public or produced at scale. &#8220;Flying cars&#8221; have become synonymous with promised innovation that failed to materialize and with general disappointment in the current year. The A5 was not permitted to take-off at the CES, as it had not yet received FAA approval to fly in populated areas, but the company is hopeful that such approval could be coming within the month.
That being said, Aska is not alone in developing workable prototypes that have generated serious commercial interest.
Another aerospace firm, Joby, has reportedly partnered with Delta Airlines, Toyota and Uber to create an air-taxi service, which would initially be concentrated in a few large cities but eventually spread out to the hinterlands, following a similar growth model to Uber itself.
“Electric propulsion has enabled us to think differently about aircraft design and to develop a new class of aircraft.” JoeBen Bivert, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, said, crediting breakthroughs in electric vehicles and battery technology with the concept&#8217;s new lease on life. Improved and lightweight composite materials have also been vital innovations in making the manufacture and flight of small passenger vehicles viable.
<div id="attachment_486128" style="width: 789px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-486128" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-486128" src="https://www.dailywire.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GettyImages-1234620571-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="779" height="519" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/01/GettyImages-1234620571-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/01/GettyImages-1234620571-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/01/GettyImages-1234620571-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/01/GettyImages-1234620571-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/01/GettyImages-1234620571-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/01/GettyImages-1234620571-1800x1200.jpg 1800w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/01/GettyImages-1234620571-1200x800.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 779px) 100vw, 779px" />(Photo by Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)</div>
Joby has received a $75 million contract with the US Department of Defense and has received billions from investors and corporate partners. Other companies such as Archer, Vertical and Lithium are also developing similar vehicles.
Joby’s prototypes have reportedly exceeded 200 mph in airspeed and have an effective range of up to 150 miles, although they would typically be used for trips of around 50 miles.
“The eVTOL space is going to fundamentally change how people get to an airport.” Ranjan Goswami, senior vice president of customer experience design at Delta, said. eVTOLs are reportedly create less noise and more environmentally friendly than traditional helicopters. They’re also cheaper to maintain as their engines have fewer moving parts.
Delta plans to use its pre-existing infrastructure at various airports to shuttle customers to their airport terminals while bypassing traffic and congestion on the ground, with the price point being close to what a premium rideshare service like Uber Black might cost, making it a somewhat affordable option.
While the industry is still in its infancy, and there are significant regulatory hurdles left to overcome, many observers are bullish on the sector’s future. Morgan Stanley <a href="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/07/joby-archer-flying-taxis-evtol">projects</a> that the market for eVTOLs will be worth $1 trillion by 2040 and $9 trillion by 2050. However, poor economic conditions in the short term represent significant headwinds for investors who are still years away from a marketable product &#8211; certification by the <a href="https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/airworthiness_certification">FAA</a> for new aircraft models can take anywhere from 5-10 years.
“We are working with the same energy as the industry itself.” An FAA representative <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/11/how-joby-aviation-and-delta-air-lines-are-making-evtols-a-reality-.html">told</a> CNBC. “Innovation cannot come at the expense of safety, it has to go hand in hand.”
Both Joby and Aska’s models would accommodate 4-5 passengers, but while Joby is the faster aircraft, Aska’s A5 has maintained functionality on the ground — it is simultaneously an aircraft and a car, can charge with the same equipment other EVs use, and its foldable wings allow it to drive on the road and fit in a standard parking space.
“Aska is positioned as a new generation vehicle that combines the convenience of an automobile with the ease and efficiency of VTOL and STOL flight.” Kaplinsky <a href="https://www.electrive.com/2023/01/06/ces-aska-shows-a-real-flying-car-with-the-a5-evtol/">said</a>.
Joby and its competitor Archer expect their vehicles to go into service in 2025; Aska expects the commercial version of the A5 to hit the market in 2026.

Las Vegas Hosts Annual CES Trade Show

Flying Car Prototypes Are Starting To Take Off

Air Travel

airplanes

Delta Airlines

Science

Technology

Uber

Houston police have released a dashcam video of an Army Reserves veteran driving an uber who escaped after two passengers attacked him with one holding a gun to the vet&#8217;s head.
The police are hoping that releasing the video to the public will help them to find the suspects.
“They put the gun to my head, behind me, and shouting like, ‘Get out of the car,’” the Uber driver Dovran, who reportedly served seven years in the U.S. Army Reserves, told <a href="https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2023/01/03/get-out-before-i-kill-you-video-shows-terrifying-armed-robbery-of-rideshare-driver-in-west-houston/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">KPRC 2</a>.
The incident occurred on October 18, at roughly 11 a.m. Dovran said a pickup request came from a man named “MJ” in a parking lot behind a McDonald’s. The initial plan was for Dovran to make the drop-off near a Walmart, but then was changed to an apartment complex, Houston police stated. Dovran said that when the Uber approached the drop-off site, one man pulled out a gun and put it to Dovran’s head, demanding Dovran get out of the car, snapping, “&#8217;Get out before I kill you. Get out before I kill you. I&#8217;m going to kill you. Get the f*** out the car. Get the f*** out the car!”
“Luckily, he didn’t shoot me,” Dovran said.
The Dashcam video caught one suspect exiting the rear passenger door in order to open the driver’s side door to yank Dovran out. “I was holding my seatbelt so they failed,” Dovran recalled.
The ensuing struggle with the suspect who had left the car left him on the ground along with Dovran’s phone, prompting Dovran to try to drive away. “I was thinking, ‘Okay, if I drive off, at least one guy will be behind me because he was outside. Luckily, the guy who was in the driving seat, he just jumped out,” Dovran told <a href="https://abc13.com/rideshare-robbery-caught-on-video-dashcam-shows-passengers-hold-driver-at-gunpoint-houston-crime-stoppers-uber-threatened-with-a-gun/12646712/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ABC 13</a>.
As Dovran drives away, the video shows the suspect with the gun insisting, “I&#8217;m gonna shoot you! I&#8217;m gonna shoot you!” before apparently jumping out of the car.
“I was shocked, you know. I was thankful to God like, he didn’t shoot me,” Dovran admitted. “Thankful. I’m lucky.”
Uber released a statement regarding the incident. &#8220;The actions of the riders shown in the video were chilling to watch and we are grateful the driver wasn’t injured,&#8221; the statement read. &#8220;We removed the rider’s access and have reached out to the driver to offer support. We look forward to assisting police in identifying those responsible.&#8221;
Police have asked anyone who can identify the suspects to call Crime Stoppers of Houston.
<iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yFWGGwOH7F4" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>

Car Driver with GPS

Dashcam Video: Army Reserves Vet Driving Uber Escapes After Suspect Holds Gun To His Head

Crime

Houston

U.S.

U.S. Army

Veterans

Flex Association, an industry group representing gig <a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">economy</a> companies such as Uber and Instacart, explained that a proposed rule change from the Labor Department threatens millions of American independent <a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/jobs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">contractors</a> who enjoy their current work arrangements.
The <a href="https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2022-21454.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">new rule</a>, which is undergoing a public comment period slated to conclude in November, would prompt regulators to consider whether independent contractors are “economically dependent” on their employers or are truly conducting business for themselves. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/biden-labor-department-announces-new-rule-to-crack-down-on-freelancing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">claimed</a> last week that individuals in the former category may be more easily denied their rights by the companies for which they work.
Flex Association CEO Kristin Sharp told The Daily Wire that most independent contractors “choose this work because of the flexibility it provides,” while a “significant majority have also consistently indicated that they prefer the freedom that comes from independent contractor status.” An <a href="https://www.flexassociation.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">analysis</a> from Flex Association revealed that the gig economy has generated $348 billion in economic activity.
“App-based earners can choose when, where, how often and for whom they work; traditional employment does not offer that level of flexibility,” Sharp continued. “While it remains to be seen how the proposed rule might impact the industry we represent, we know that forcing a one-sized-fits-all approach doesn’t match the needs of workers.”
Indeed, roughly 16% of Americans have participated in gig economy and independent contracting work such as delivering groceries, cleaning homes, or delivering packages, according to a <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2021/12/08/the-state-of-gig-work-in-2021/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">survey</a> from Pew Research, which found that young people and low-income individuals are most likely to earn money through a gig platform. As a result of various labor standard laws, hiring an employee can cost between being 25% and 40% more than the worker’s base salary, according to an <a href="https://web.mit.edu/e-club/hadzima/pdf/how-much-does-an-employee-cost.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">analysis</a> from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
A previous <a href="https://www.flexassociation.org/post/flexibility-must-come-first" target="_blank" rel="noopener">blog post</a> from Flex Association contended that the Labor Department proposal is not consistent with twenty-first century labor market conditions and noted that officials should instead pursue laws that improve independent work. According to a <a href="https://assets.morningconsult.com/wp-uploads/2020/08/23134151/Global-Strategy-Group-Memo-Independent-Contractor-Attitudes-on-Classification-08.19.20.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">poll</a> from Global Strategy Group, 90% of independent contractors report that their status is a “good arrangement for them and their lifestyle,” while only 3% said the arrangement is “bad.”
The federal rule change proposal induced comparisons to Assembly Bill 5, a statute in California which claims that workers are often “exploited” through their classification as independent contractors. The law <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/california-tells-truckers-blockading-port-over-harsh-labor-law-to-comply-and-move-forward" target="_blank" rel="noopener">entered into effect</a> earlier this year after an extensive series of court battles, inducing protests from owner-operator truckers and a subsequent rebuke from the state government to “move forward” and “comply with the law.”
The costs of such policies incurred by workers appear to outweigh the benefits. An <a href="https://progresschamber.org/new-study-finds-millions-could-lose-work-if-u-s-reclassifies-contractors/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">analysis</a> from Chamber of Progress found that a “national rule reclassifying independent contractors as full-time employees” could result in a loss of direct income for 3.4 million American workers, producing a decline in net earnings of more than $42 billion.
In the state of New York, policymakers enacted a measure in the spring of 2020 that temporarily <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/unconstitutional-food-delivery-services-sue-new-york-city-over-delivery-fee-regulations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">limited the fees</a> which app-based food delivery companies such as DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub could charge restaurants. The companies filed suit, arguing that the ordinance was “unconstitutional” because of interference with “freely negotiated contracts between platforms and restaurants.”

Smart phone mapping while in car

‘Doesn’t Match The Needs Of Workers’: Industry Group Raises Alarm Over Biden Rule Cracking Down On Independent Contractors

Flex Association Blasts New Labor Department Rule

California

Economy

Jobs

Unemployment

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/uber">Uber</a> is being accused of using abortion activism to cover up the company&#8217;s alleged mistreatment of women.
A new ad campaign launched Thursday by the conservative organization Consumer&#8217;s Research hones in on <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/13/uber-sued-by-more-than-500-women-over-sexual-assault-claims.html">allegations that female Uber passengers</a> in multiple states have been &#8220;kidnapped, sexually assaulted, sexually battered, raped, falsely imprisoned, stalked, harassed, or otherwise attacked” by their Uber drivers.
Consumer&#8217;s Research accuses Uber of attempting to mask these allegations through its abortion activism — such as Uber&#8217;s promise to <a href="https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/supreme-court-decision-roe-v-wade-6-24-2022/card/uber-lyft-others-to-support-employees-traveling-out-of-state-for-abortion-vtYQJSQ5KFZppFnOXQGF">cover travel expenses for employee out of state abortions</a> or <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/03/lyft-will-cover-legal-fees-for-drivers-sued-under-texas-abortion-law.html">the legal fees</a> of drivers sued under Texas&#8217;s abortion law (these drivers would only be held liable under the law if there was proof that the driver knew that his passenger was on her way to abort her unborn baby that had a heartbeat).
“Uber’s woke leadership is attempting to hide behind the fig leaf of funding abortion travel for employees rather than fixing serious problems such as sexual assaults on customers and subjecting pregnant workers to discrimination and unsafe working conditions,&#8221; said the organization&#8217;s executive director, Will Hild.
&#8220;The truth is that Uber’s behavior toward women has been nothing short of horrifying, and assuming that paying for abortion expenses is somehow going to make it all better is manipulative and extremely misguided,&#8221; he added.
WATCH: 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/Uber?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Uber</a> pretends to care about women by helping pay for abortions, but we know the truth&#8230;
(thread) <a href="https://t.co/wiXffchbq3">pic.twitter.com/wiXffchbq3</a>
&mdash; Will Hild (@WillHild) <a href="https://twitter.com/WillHild/status/1562771852900335616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
That ad, which will air nationally, specifically in San Francisco where Uber is headquartered, and in prominent business hubs like New York City and Washington D.C, is part of the multi-million dollar <a href="https://consumersresearch.org/consumersfirst/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://consumersresearch.org/consumersfirst/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1661531070737000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2u24df22Ky9XsuJ5N9exJG">Consumers First Initiative</a> honing in on woke capitalism at play in corporations like <a href="https://aboutblackrock.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://aboutblackrock.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1661531070737000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1imQI0bz9unR0GUB-jbWZb">BlackRock,</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDWLSAdf48o" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DtDWLSAdf48o&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1661531070737000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0Sg3Ks-hmOi515Eg_kfDG-">Nike</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEZe4uZR4l8" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DpEZe4uZR4l8&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1661531070737000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0711JOG9B_16nqDYs1MVId">Coca-Cola</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fg89CSkoSuI" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DFg89CSkoSuI&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1661531070737000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2R7KpOt3sWz0hrJ1nIUi5H">American Airlines</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4zTbGzWAJ0" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3De4zTbGzWAJ0&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1661531070737000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0ziX5qnumZM070phi6nWm3">TicketMaster</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Rkg9HD9AMw" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3D8Rkg9HD9AMw&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1661531070737000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2sf7fMnb5olSW53Rkck_aH">Major League Baseball</a>.
&#8220;Uber pretends they care about women&#8221; by &#8220;helping pay for abortions,&#8221; the ad said. &#8220;But we know the truth. Protect your customers. Stop serving woke politicians.&#8221;
Uber did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Daily Wire. The company currently faces a lawsuit from hundreds of women claiming to have been assaulted by Uber drivers.
WATCH: 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
The truth: <a href="https://twitter.com/Uber?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Uber</a>’s behavior toward women has been nothing short of horrifying.
And assuming that paying for abortion expenses is somehow going to make it all better is manipulative and extremely misguided.<a href="https://t.co/wiXffchbq3">pic.twitter.com/wiXffchbq3</a>
&mdash; Will Hild (@WillHild) <a href="https://twitter.com/WillHild/status/1562772953343094784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
“As early as 2014, Uber became aware that its drivers were sexually assaulting and raping female passengers; nevertheless, in the eight years since, sexual predators driving for Uber have continued to attack passengers, including the plaintiffs whose claims were alleged in today’s action,” the Slater Slater Schulman law firm said of the lawsuit in a July press release.
Following news of the lawsuit, Uber said that the company could not comment on pending litigation but promised to &#8220;keep safety at the heart of our work.&#8221;
“While the firm claims to be representing at least 550 women with cases — the law firm has only filed 12 to date,” Uber said at the time. “They have not been able to provide any critical incident details for us to identify a connection to the Uber platform.&#8221;
WATCH: 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OnlyOnUber?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OnlyOnUber</a> do women have to fear for their safety&#8230; 
Because <a href="https://twitter.com/Uber?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Uber</a> would rather virtue signal about abortion than actually address the hundreds of reported sexual assaults that happen on their platform.<a href="https://t.co/wiXffchbq3">pic.twitter.com/wiXffchbq3</a>
&mdash; Will Hild (@WillHild) <a href="https://twitter.com/WillHild/status/1562817914327437325?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The law firm told CNBC that it had filed 24 claims as of late July, reiterating that it was representing 550 clients who are accusing Uber of sexual assault, and noting that at least 150 more assault claims are being investigated.
“The cases have been and will continue to be filed in multi-party complaints, which means they are not filed all at once as they would in a class action,&#8221; the firm said.
In its <a href="https://www.uber.com/newsroom/2022-us-safety-report/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">second safety report</a>, released about two weeks before the lawsuit, Uber said that it had received 3,824 reports of sexual assault in 2019 and 2020. These sexual assault reports reportedly ranging from “non-consensual kissing of a non-sexual body part” to “non-consensual sexual penetration,” or rape, Uber said.

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Uber Accused Of Using Abortion Activism To Mask ‘Horrifying’ Behavior Toward Women

Ad Campaign Accuses Uber Of Using Abortion Activism To Hide Behavior Towards Women

Abortion

San Francisco

Ride share company <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/uber">Uber</a> is facing civil action from hundreds of women claiming that drivers <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/sexual-assault">sexually assaulted</a> them with various degrees of severity.
According to a Wednesday <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/uber-facing-lawsuit-from-sexual-assault-survivors-for-endangering-them-on-rides-and-failing-to-put-adequate-protections-in-place-301586028.html">press release</a> from law firm Slater Slater Schulman, female passengers across multiple states have been “kidnapped, sexually assaulted, sexually battered, raped, falsely imprisoned, stalked, harassed, or otherwise attacked by Uber drivers.” The firm represents roughly 550 clients in the lawsuit.
&#8220;Uber&#8217;s whole business model is predicated on giving people a safe ride home, but rider safety was never their concern — growth was, at the expense of their passengers&#8217; safety,&#8221; Adam Slater, founding partner of Slater Slater Schulman, said in the press release. &#8220;While the company has acknowledged this crisis of sexual assault in recent years, its actual response has been slow and inadequate, with horrific consequences.&#8221;
According to Uber’s <a href="https://www.uber.com/us/en/ride/safety/">website</a>, new drivers must complete background checks, while current drivers are vetted annually. The company received more than 3,800 <a href="https://www.uber.com/newsroom/2022-us-safety-report/">safety</a> reports “across the five most severe categories of sexual assault and misconduct” in 2019 and 2020. Uber and competing platform Lyft <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/uber-lyft-introduce-program-to-share-information-about-drivers-accused-of-abusive-behavior">announced</a> a partnership in March 2021 to create a joint database for drivers accused of sexual assault and other crimes — a move meant to stop drivers from switching between companies following bans over inappropriate behavior.
The law firm claimed that Uber “became aware” of drivers sexually assaulting and raping female passengers as early as 2014, but overlooked typical background check standards in the interest of more quickly onboarding new drivers. The firm listed several alleged examples of sexual assault carried out by Uber drivers — including a February 2022 attempted rape in Chino Hills, California; a November 2021 rape in Perris, California; and an October 2021 attempted rape outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
&#8220;There is so much more that Uber can be doing to protect riders: adding cameras to deter assaults, performing more robust background checks on drivers, creating a warning system when drivers don&#8217;t stay on a path to a destination,&#8221; Slater continued. &#8220;But the company refuses to, and that&#8217;s why my firm has 550 clients with claims against Uber and we&#8217;re investigating at least 150 more.”
An Uber spokesperson told <a href="https://fortune.com/2022/07/14/uber-bad-week-gets-worse-550-women-sue-allegations-including-kidnapping-rape-false-imprisonment/#:~:text=Uber%20is%20being%20sued%20by,assault%20to%20stalking%20and%20kidnapping.">Fortune</a> that the company seeks to prioritize passenger safety and takes seriously “every single report” of sexual assault.
“There is nothing more important than safety, which is why Uber has built new safety features, established survivor-centric policies, and been more transparent about serious incidents,” the spokesperson said. “While we can’t comment on pending litigation, we will continue to keep safety at the heart of our work.”
Beyond the sexual misconduct lawsuit, Uber is facing legal battles in California over alleged anticompetitive practices that <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/new-legal-battle-begins-over-gig-economy-work-at-uber-and-lyft">impact</a> gig economy workers. Uber and Lyft “label their drivers independent contractors, yet deprive those drivers of economic independence by fixing the prices that drivers must charge to customers for rides,” according to a <a href="https://towardsjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Uber-Lyft-Complaint.6.20.2022-3.pdf">suit</a> filed by legal nonprofit Towards Justice, which argued that the drivers would have increased earnings under a regime with more pricing freedom.
Two years ago, a California court <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/uber-lyft-avoid-state-wide-shutdown-amidst-legal-battle-with-california">ruled in favor</a> of Uber and Lyft in a lawsuit that would have pressed the firms to classify independent contractors as employees.

Drivers Claim Victory As NYC Becomes First US To Cap For-Hire Vehicles

Uber Faces Lawsuit From More Than 500 Women Claiming Drivers Kidnapped, Raped, Or Otherwise Assaulted Them

Uber Faces Lawsuit From More Than 500 Alleged Sexual Assault Victims

Lawsuit

Sexual Assault

Three <a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/uber">Uber</a> and <a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/lyft">Lyft</a> drivers filed a class action lawsuit in <a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/california">California</a> on Tuesday over alleged <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/antitrust">anticompetitive</a> practices that impact gig <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/economy">economy</a> workers.
The two firms “label their drivers independent contractors, yet deprive those drivers of economic independence by fixing the prices that drivers must charge to customers for rides,” according to the <a href="https://towardsjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Uber-Lyft-Complaint.6.20.2022-3.pdf">suit</a> filed by legal nonprofit Towards Justice, which argued that the drivers would have increased earnings under a regime with more pricing freedom.
“Uber and Lyft have insisted that they do not employ their drivers,” David Seligman, executive director of Towards Justice, said in a <a href="https://towardsjustice.org/2022/06/21/press-release-drivers-sue-to-block-uber-lyfts-illegal-price-fixing/">press release</a>. “But if Uber and Lyft are not employers responsible to their employees under labor standards laws, then they are powerful corporations that fix prices, abuse their power, and deceive the workers who drive their profits.”
Beyond the purported price fixing, the plaintiffs argue that Uber and Lyft have been taking greater portions of the sums that riders pay for the service.
Two years ago, a California court <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/uber-lyft-avoid-state-wide-shutdown-amidst-legal-battle-with-california">ruled in favor</a> of Uber and Lyft in a lawsuit that would have pressed the firms to classify independent contractors as employees. The most recent lawsuit against the firms also comes one year after Democratic lawmakers introduced the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, which would <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/the-democrats-pro-act-three-things-you-need-to-know">narrow the definition</a> of an independent contractor under the guise of granting them more protections.
“Big Labor incrementally attacks any form of gig work, or contracting, and they come for ride sharing companies first,” Gabriella Hoffman, a freelance media strategist and Townhall columnist who has written extensively about the gig economy, told The Daily Wire. “If you poll rideshare drivers, however, they voluntarily go into this line of work and enjoy the flexibility that comes with the job.”
Indeed, Uber released a poll in 2020 showing that drivers preferred to remain as independent contractors when offered a handful of benefits by the company, according to <a href="https://www.axios.com/2020/08/25/uber-independent-contractors-employees-poll">Axios</a>. Another poll from Lyft likewise showed that most drivers preferred their contractor arrangements.
<a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2021/12/08/the-state-of-gig-work-in-2021/">Pew Research</a> found in 2021 that 16% of Americans — including 30% of Hispanics, 20% of African Americans, and 12% of whites — have participated in gig economy work, such as shopping for and delivering groceries, cleaning homes, or delivering packages. Young Americans and those with low incomes are most likely to earn money through a gig platform.
“Independent contracting liberates workers from the constraints of traditional work — including unionized jobs,” Hoffman argued. “Workers want more flexibility and freedom to be more fulfilled in their careers. &#8230; Freelancing, as a whole, is a pro-family, pro-free enterprise, pro-free market policy that empowers individuals. And it&#8217;s a great option for women who juggle career and family.”
Although unemployment is presently 3.6% and wages are nominally rising, real average hourly wages <a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/realer.nr0.htm">dropped</a> 3% between May 2021 and May 2022 amid rising inflation — meaning that Americans must tighten their budgets or work more than last year to enjoy the same standard of living. Accordingly, a poll taken earlier this year by <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220413006071/en/Rising-Inflation-Leads-More-Workers-to-the-Gig-Economy-Citing-Increased-Expenses-and-Fuel-Costs">Branch and Marqeta</a> showed that 85% of respondents “increased or planned to increase their gig work,” with 58% “citing inflation as the primary reason.”

Close up of young woman using mobile app device on smartphone to arrange taxi ride in downtown city street, with illuminated busy city traffic scene during rush hour with traffic congestion in the evening

New Legal Battle Begins Over Gig Economy Work At Uber And Lyft

Uber And Lyft Drivers Sue Companies For Antitrust Violation

Antitrust

Lyft

Ridesharing companies Uber and Lyft ended their mask mandates for riders and drivers on Tuesday.
The move follows U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle&#8217;s <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-federal-judge-in-florida-voids-bidens-national-mask-mandate-at-airports-planes-public-transit">ruling</a> on Monday that the federal travel mask mandate was unlawful because it “exceeded the CDC’s statutory authority, improperly invoked the good cause exception to notice and comment rulemaking, and failed to adequately explain its decisions.” 
“As of April 19, 2022, riders and drivers are not required to wear masks when using Uber,” the firm said on its <a href="https://www.uber.com/us/en/safety/">website</a>. “However, the CDC still recommends wearing a mask if you have certain personal risk factors and/or high transmission levels in your area.”
“Remember: many people still feel safer wearing a mask because of personal or family health situations, so please be respectful of their preferences,” Uber’s website continued. “And if you ever feel uncomfortable, you can always cancel the trip.”
Uber also announced that its previous “no-front-seat” policy has been removed.
Lyft released a similar <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/19/uber-drops-mask-requirements-passengers.html">statement</a>, adding that “everyone has different comfort levels, and anyone who wants to continue wearing a mask is encouraged to do so.”
After the ruling from Mizelle, major <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/major-u-s-airlines-each-reveal-if-they-will-continue-to-enforce-bidens-mask-mandate">airlines</a> revoked their mask mandates. Amtrak likewise <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/amtrak-removes-mask-mandate-for-passengers-employees">ended</a> its mandate, encouraging passengers to wear masks as an “optional preventative measure.”
A Monday statement from the Biden administration <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/biden-administration-responds-to-florida-federal-judge-voiding-national-mask-mandate-on-airplanes">announced</a> that officials will be considering “potential next steps,” while admitting that the CDC’s masking order is no longer in effect.
“The agencies are reviewing the decision and assessing potential next steps,” an administration official <a href="https://twitter.com/PhilipWegmann/status/1516174890839298053">said</a>. “In the meantime, today’s court decision means CDC’s public transportation masking order is not in effect at this time. Therefore, TSA will not enforce its Security Directives and Emergency Amendment requiring mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs at this time. CDC recommends that people continue to wear masks in indoor public transportation settings.”
When pressed on the administration’s approach to masking policies by Fox News reporter Peter Doocy on Monday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/psaki-snaps-im-not-a-doctor-when-pressed-on-white-house-masking-policy">snapped</a> that she is “not a doctor.”
“You said about this mask ruling out of a federal court in Florida that it’s a ‘disappointing decision,’ and you say you continue to recommend that people wear masks,” Doocy said. “Why is it that we can sit here in the White House briefing room with no masks, but people can’t sit in an airplane cabin with no masks?”
“Well, Peter, I’m not a doctor,” Psaki replied. “You’re not a doctor — that I’m aware of.  If you’re a doctor, I wasn’t aware of that today — until today.”
“Can confirm,” Doocy replied. 
“Okay, not a doctor,” Psaki said. “Just making sure. I don’t know.”
“Some people can still wear a mask if they want to — many people do — or wear them in meetings or wear them at certain times where you’re going to be around or sitting close to people, or maybe you have an immunocompromised parent or — or friend,” Psaki added. “And so people make that decision. And there’s — this is based on health considerations and data that the CDC looks at about transmissibility as — as we’ve seen an increase in cases on — on airplanes.”

Uber, Lyft Drop Mask Mandates For Drivers And Passengers

COVID

Face Masks

Mask Mandate

Travel Restrictions

On Wednesday, Uber riders across America began paying a maximum 55 cent fuel charge. That same day, competing ride-share company Lyft announced it will impose a similar fee that will be added to rides starting next week. Both companies said in statements the move is to help off-set high gas prices for drivers who have to pay for their gasoline at the pump.
The Washington Post <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2022/03/16/fuel-surcharge-taxi-uber-lyft/">reported</a> that Uber said that &#8220;the surcharges are based on average trip distances and the increase in gas prices in each state.&#8221;
&#8220;It said the fee will remain in place for 60 days and will go to &#8216;help reduce the burden&#8217; on drivers who are feeling the sting of record gas prices,&#8221; the Post added.
Likewise, Lyft said in a blog post that as gas prices fluctuate, the company will &#8220;continue monitoring gas prices, listening to how drivers are being impacted, and finding ways to support them as things evolve.&#8221;
Taxis in some areas are adding a $1 surcharge as well. In Washington, D.C., district regulators announced the new fee, the Post reported:
<blockquote>“The surcharge will help offset the effects of the U.S. ban on Russian oil and high prices at the gas pump,” the District’s Department of For-Hire Vehicles said in a statement. The agency said the surcharge will remain in effect for 120 days.</blockquote>
Many taxi drivers and managers welcomed the move, according to the Post:
<blockquote>
Roy Spooner, general manager of D.C. Yellow Cab, said the additional dollar can help drivers as gas prices are “getting worse every day” and demand for fares hasn’t returned to pre-pandemic levels.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
“When you think about how regular gas has pretty much doubled, every little bit helps,” Spooner said. “That extra dollar of gas will probably get you three or four miles and the average trip in the city is five miles, so you got some help with it.”
</blockquote>
The Daily Wire recently reported that other folks are taking to a different approach to beating pain at the pump — stealing gasoline.
Thieves in North Carolina stole nearly 400 gallons of gasoline from one gas station in the Tar Heel State on Tuesday:
<blockquote>
According to local TV station <a href="https://myfox8.com/news/north-carolina/high-point/400-gallons-of-gas-stolen-from-high-point-gas-station/">WGHP</a>, the thieves attacked the Bizzy Bee Grocery and BP gas station in High Point, North Carolina, and stole almost 400 gallons of gasoline directly from its pumps late Tuesday evening, after the station had closed for the night. Gas station owner Hardik Patel told WGHP that about 15 cars in total showed up to the pumps, stealing about $1,600 in gas. “I lost a lot of money last night,” Patel said. “It’s a lot of money to be lost. It’s really bad.”
</blockquote>
The Daily Wire added this newest heist was tied to surging fuel prices:
<blockquote>The gas expert said the theft was not common, but he tied it to the record spike in gas prices. The Daily Wire reported last week that gas surged to a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-u-s-national-average-price-of-gasoline-hits-new-all-time-record-high-report-says">record high</a> of $4.104 per gallon, breaking the previous record set all the way back in 2008. Gas prices have continued to surge since then and currently sit at about $4.30 per gallon on average nationwide, according to <a href="https://gasprices.aaa.com/">AAA,</a> though some <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/experts-predict-some-gas-price-relief-after-oil-prices-slide-under-100-a-barrel">relief</a> is expected as oil prices slide downward.</blockquote>

Gas Pump

Uber, Lyft, And Taxis Add Fuel Fees To Offset High Gas Prices

Oil and Gas

Being an Uber driver is not as easy as driving people from point A to point B. Drivers are increasingly using cameras inside their vehicles to protect themselves from unruly passengers who lie about what happened during their trip in order to get a refund.
On July 31 in Brighton and Hove, a city in East Sussex, England, a male full-time Uber driver and father of three picked up a female passenger. Since the woman is not being named despite falsely accusing the driver of sexual assault, The Daily Wire will not name the falsely accused man. The driver picked up the woman from University of Brighton dorms and drove her to a convenience store in Richmond Parade, <a href="https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/19567880.brighton-uber-driver-victim-false-sexual-assault-claim/">according to local paper The Argus</a>. The driver waited outside the store for the woman to return before driving her back to the dorms.
Later, Uber informed the driver that the woman had accused him of touching her leg after he locked the car doors. Uber suspended the driver’s account, with a note on his personal record detailing the accusation.
The allegation was sent to the Brighton and Hove City Council’s licensing team, which was able to view CCTV footage in the car and determine the accusation was false. As the Argus reported, a licensing enforcement officer emailed Uber to say he could “confirm that the allegation is false and probably just made to get a refund of the fare paid.&#8221; This same officer told Uber that the driver should be reinstated “as soon as possible.” Uber, however, waited nearly a month to reinstate the driver, costing him thousands of dollars.
The driver told the Argus that his family was “denied an income” due to the complaint while trying to continue paying for his vehicle and insurance.
&#8220;If I had no CCTV in my car, I would have been done,&#8221; the driver said. &#8220;My car is on finance, I rent the house, I have three children, bills to pay, loans, so many things.”
&#8220;It&#8217;s not fair at all that if someone complains that your account will be blocked without an investigation,” he added. “The council reviewed the CCTV within three days, but they blocked my account a month.&#8221;
The Brighton and Hove City Council told the Argus that it “always investigate as quickly as possible any serious allegations made against local taxi drivers.”
“Taxis have CCTV installed in them these days. In this instance we were able to review the footage very quickly and respond to the company that contacted us,” the council added. “In this instance we did not consider it appropriate to notify the police. Any possible further action relating to this incident would be a matter for the taxi company and/or the driver, not the council.”
The driver said he believes the false accuser “should be punished for making this false complaint.” So far, there is no indication that she will be charged with a crime, even though her allegations were against a named man and her actions cost him a month’s paycheck.
&#8220;This is one of the most serious allegations you can make about someone, next to murder and rape,” the driver told the Argus. &#8220;It could have changed my life, it could have led to suicide. I feel I&#8217;m very lucky because my CCTV was working.&#8221;
The App Drivers and Couriers Union told the Argus in a statement that “Too often private hire drivers are victims of false and vexatious allegations from customers seeking an easy refund. False allegations of a sexual nature can destroy lives, drive people to ill health and in some cases can lead to suicide.”
&#8220;Uber management openly admit that while they know passengers do make up false allegations with the motive of securing a dishonest refund which Uber deducts from driver&#8217;s wages, they nevertheless err on the side of believing the passenger,” the statement continued. “Brighton and Hove Council must now step in and review Uber&#8217;s security procedures in partnership with trade unions to ensure passengers and licensed drivers are properly protected.&#8221;
Earlier this year, an Uber Eats driver <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/uber-eats-driver-killed-after-teen-girls-allegedly-carjack-him-in-d-c-leading-to-violent-crash">was killed</a> after teen girls carjacked him. Other drivers have also faced false accusations of sexual assault.
On the flip side, some Uber drivers have committed crimes or acted unethically. In 2019, an Uber driver was sentenced to <a href="https://gothamist.com/news/uber-driver-sentenced-to-3-years-in-prison-for-kidnapping-woman-in-nyc">3 years in prison</a> for kidnapping a woman in New York City. In 2018, The Miami Herald <a href="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article215299675.html">published</a> an exposé showing that Uber drivers were falsely accusing riders of vomiting in their vehicles in order to collect cleaning fees.

She Said An Uber Driver Sexually Assaulted Her. Video Evidence Shows She Made It Up.

false accusations

Ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft are hiking prices.
The phenomenon occurs as businesses struggle to attract workers, limiting owners’ capacity to serve consumers ready to participate in the economy after widespread government-mandated lockdowns.
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/article/uber-lyft-surge.html">The New York Times</a> reports:
<blockquote>Customers around the country say they have been startled by the price jumps. In some cases, they say, their Uber rides from airports cost as much as their plane tickets.
Uber and its top rival, Lyft, acknowledge that prices are up and wait times are longer, but they won’t provide specifics. A recent analysis by the research firm Rakuten Intelligence found that the cost of a ride was 37 percent higher in March than it was a year ago. In April, the cost was up 40 percent.</blockquote>
<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/uber-ride-prices-will-be-less-expensive-by-september-ceo-2021-7">Business Insider</a> adds:
<blockquote>This increase becomes even more drastic during &#8220;surge pricing&#8221; periods, when Uber hikes up pay to attract more drivers, Insider&#8217;s Grace Dean reported in June. In New York City, an Uber driver can make around $37.44 an hour, while in Houston the median hourly wage is $22.97.  </blockquote>
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/uber-ride-prices-will-be-less-expensive-by-september-ceo-2021-7">expects</a> that prices will return &#8220;to nearly the good old days&#8221; by September.
Also in September, the $300-per-week enhanced federal unemployment insurance funded by the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/comparing-trump-and-bidens-covid-relief-bills">American Rescue Plan</a> is set to expire. Many economists point to the payments as a factor slowing the labor market recovery in the United States as employees delay returning to their positions in favor of reaping the unemployment benefits.
A Morning Consult <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/report-1-8-million-americans-have-turned-down-jobs-to-stay-on-unemployment">survey</a>, for example, found that one in eight American adults who were jobless at the end of June reported that they had refused positions because they “receive enough money from unemployment insurance without having to work.” Since 14.1 million adults were collecting benefits at the time of the survey, Morning Consult concluded that up to 1.8 million Americans had turned down jobs due to the handouts.
At the beginning of the summer, two dozen Republican governors announced that they would remove their states from the American Rescue Plan payments in the interest of aiding small businesses struggling to attract workers. However, residents of states such as Indiana, Maryland, Texas, and Florida began filing <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/thousands-of-americans-are-suing-their-governors-for-opting-out-of-extra-federal-unemployment-handouts">lawsuits</a> to restore the benefits programs.
A lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) reads:
<blockquote>DeSantis’ termination of Florida’s participation in these programs will reduce and/or eliminate the benefits to which the Plaintiffs would otherwise be entitled.
Given that Florida’s unemployment compensation program pays one of the lowest benefits in the Country, and is one of the shortest durations in the country, even the addition of the extra Federal payments still barely allows unemployed Floridians to pay their basic living expenses.
By terminating Florida’s participation… Defendants are violating their clear legal and statutory duty to secure such benefits for employees in the State of Florida including the Plaintiffs and all other residents of the State of Florida who have been receiving FPUC benefits.</blockquote>
Most states with Democratic governors are still participating in the enhanced unemployment handouts.

Uber Car

Amid Driver Shortages, Ride Share Companies Hike Prices By 40%

In an embarrassing error, Uber reportedly sent some of its drivers and delivery workers an email last month in which the ride-sharing giant offered to pay for at least some of their health insurance costs. Two weeks later, Uber acknowledged a mistake had been made.
According to <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/10/22528148/uber-drivers-health-insurance-mistake-error">The Verge</a>, an email on May 26 was sent with the “enticing” subject line, “It’s a great time to get health coverage.”
The email, sent to an “unspecified number of the company’s drivers and delivery workers” announced, “Uber can help cover your healthcare costs.”
“Drivers and couriers for Uber are classified as independent contractors, making them ineligible for employer-sponsored health insurance plans. For years, many of these workers have lobbied for more benefits and protections, only to face strong opposition from Uber,” the report continued. “So one can only imagine the shock from drivers who opened this email and saw an offer for subsidies ranging from $613.77 to $1,277.54, depending on the type of insurance plan they had and the amount of hours they worked each week.”
“If you need health coverage, there’s no better time to apply for a healthcare plan,” the email read. “More people than ever before will qualify for financial help with their health coverage. 4 out of 5 who enroll in a health plan can find a plan for $10 or less per month, with government financial assistance. You may be eligible for more savings and lower costs on health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace.”
“After you submit your application, you have 30 days to enroll in a plan. Coverage starts the first day of the month after you enroll,” the email concluded, directing viewers to “Learn more.”
On June 9, Uber issued a correction. “On May 26th, we sent you two emails with the subject line ‘It’s a great time to get health coverage,’” the later email began.
“One of these two emails told you that Uber can help cover your healthcare costs. Unfortunately, we made a mistake sending this email to you, as this policy only applies to drivers and delivery people in California,” Uber continued. “If you signed up for a healthcare plan based on this information between May 26 and today and you want to cancel your plan, Uber will reimburse your first month’s premium.”
The email then provided the recipients with instructions for requesting such a refund.
&#8220;Our support teams are working directly with anyone who was affected and we regret the error,&#8221; said a spokesperson for Uber, according to <a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/7kvkeq/uber-accidentally-offers-drivers-health-insurance-then-retracts-offer">VICE</a>.
Vice added that Jake Stergos, an Uber driver in St. Louis, Missouri received both emails and does not have health insurance. 
&#8220;It is genuinely galling that Uber took two weeks to send a clarification that we are not receiving health insurance,&#8221; Stergos said. &#8220;It&#8217;d be really nice if I could receive health insurance from Uber. I haven&#8217;t been to the doctor in years.&#8221;

‘We Made A Mistake’: Uber Accidentally Tells Some Drivers They’ve Got Some Health Insurance

Health Insurance

A recent increase in demand for the ride-sharing service, Uber, might demonstrate that some consumers are ready to get out into the world again as COVID-19 vaccinations rise and cases remain at lower rates across the United States.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention&#8217;s <a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations">COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker</a> shows that 21.9% of the total population is fully vaccinated against the virus and 61.4% of people 65 years of age or older have been fully vaccinated. <a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_dailytrendscases">Daily trends in the amount of COVID-19 cases</a> reported to the CDC also appear to remain at the lower rate that was reached in mid-February of this year.
In a <a href="https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1543151/000155278121000198/e21218_uber-8k.htm">filing</a> with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday, Uber stated that its &#8220;total company Gross Bookings reached the highest monthly level in the company’s nearly 12-year history&#8221; in March 2021.
The company said that it has had its best month for its mobility business since March 2020, &#8220;crossing a $30 billion annualized Gross Bookings run-rate, with average daily Gross Bookings up 9% month-over-month.&#8221; It also set another all-time record in its delivery business, &#8220;crossing a $52 billion annualized Gross Bookings run-rate in March, growing more than 150% year-over-year.&#8221;
In the filing, Uber stated:
<blockquote>As vaccination rates increase in the United States, we are observing that consumer demand for Mobility is recovering faster than driver availability, and consumer demand for Delivery continues to exceed courier availability. On April 7, Uber announced that it is increasing investments in driver incentives to improve driver availability in the near-term. We continue to believe that Uber is on track to reach quarterly Adjusted EBITDA profitability in 2021. </blockquote>
The company experienced a difficult year during the pandemic and had to let go around 25% of its staff and get rid of some of its businesses, according to <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/uber-posts-record-rider-demand-in-march-11618231447">The Wall Street Journal</a>. Since many drivers could not get enough trips to make the job worth their individual effort, they stopped providing the service. In response to the increase in demand, Uber recently announced an incentive program to get drivers back on the road.
Uber explained the program in a blog <a href="https://www.uber.com/newsroom/getting-drivers-back-on-the-road/">post last week</a>, saying, &#8220;We’re launching a $250 million driver stimulus to boost already high earnings for drivers. Boosted incentives and guarantees will help welcome existing drivers back to Uber and ensure first-time drivers do well as they learn the ropes.&#8221; Even without the stimulus money, however, Uber said that drivers are making a higher income right now as there are more consumers than there are drivers to give them rides. The company said that in certain cities, drivers are making more money than usual. In Chicago, drivers are making $28.73 median earnings per hour and in Philadelphia, drivers see even more than that at $31.03 median earnings per hour.
The company also recently announced that beginning in mid-March of this year, private-hire drivers utilizing its mobility platform in the United Kingdom will be treated as workers at the company after a court in the U.K. decided that formerly-employed Uber drivers were entitled to receive benefits and a minimum wage while employed there. This is expected to deal a blow to the business in the first quarter.
The Monday filing addressed the court decision, saying, &#8220;Uber has announced a historical claims settlement process to UK drivers. As a result, Uber expects to record a significant accrual related to these historical claims and other related costs in its first quarter 2021 results.&#8221;
In its blog post, Uber added that it is still requiring all of its passengers to wear face masks even though one-third of the adult population in America has gotten at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

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Uber Sees Demand Spike As Pandemic Wanes

COVID-19 Vaccine

Uber Eats

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