All articles tagged with #ride hailing
Uber Technologies said it will acquire Blacklane to broaden its high-end chauffeur offerings for executives and wealthy clients, a deal expected to close by the end of 2026 with undisclosed financial terms. Blacklane operates in 500+ cities across 60+ countries, and the purchase is poised to bolster Uber Elite, the company's premium chauffeur option, amid growing competition in luxury ride-hailing.
Rising gas prices, driven by oil disruptions, are squeezing workers who drive for work—Uber/Lyft drivers, delivery staff, cleaners, and others—who largely pay for fuel themselves and often get only partial reimbursement. Some employers are raising mileage rates (e.g., Alpine Maids at 72.5 cents/mile; Doggy Lama at 80 cents) or adjusting schedules to reduce travel, while gig platforms are adding temporary fuel incentives. Many drivers report thinner margins as the national gas average nears $4 per gallon, with some declining tips or skipping orders to keep costs in check; diesel prices have climbed even more, affecting trucking and bus services globally. The situation is forcing workers and businesses to re-balance prices, hours, and reimbursements amid ongoing price volatility.
Rising U.S. gasoline prices – about $1 per gallon higher since the Iran war began, with California averages above $6/gal – are eroding take-home pay for people who drive their own cars for work, including Uber/Lyft drivers, as higher fuel costs squeeze earnings and potentially alter driving patterns.
Uber has rolled out its Women Preferences feature nationwide in the US, allowing riders and drivers to request matches with women to boost comfort and safety; about 20% of US drivers are women, and the rollout follows a pilot despite a California class-action alleging gender discrimination, with Uber seeking to move the case to private arbitration. In eligible cities, teens and their parents can also request women drivers.
Uber is rolling out its nationwide Women Drivers feature, letting women riders and drivers be matched for trips with options to request a female driver, reserve in advance, or enable a female-driver preference (including teen accounts). The expansion follows California class-action lawsuits alleging the policy discriminates against men, with Lyft facing similar claims. The feature began as a pilot in several cities and abroad, as Uber touts safety improvements and arbitration progress.
Uber has rolled out a nationwide feature in the US that lets female drivers and passengers request trips with other women, expanding a pilot designed to boost comfort and safety. The launch comes amid a California class-action lawsuit accusing the move of discriminating against men.
Uber is rolling out its women-only matching option nationwide in the United States, allowing women riders to request women drivers and women drivers to serve only female riders as part of ongoing safety and comfort measures for female users.
Uber will incentivize third-party operators to install EV chargers in drivers’ US and European neighborhoods and guarantee a minimum amount of usage to help recoup investments, aiming to accelerate charging infrastructure despite recent U.S. policy shifts.
Tesla is recruiting factory workers and sales staff to operate its 'Robotaxi' fleet as AI drivers, aiming to expand its autonomous ride-hailing service in the Bay Area and other cities, with plans for full autonomy in the future.
Tesla has rapidly expanded its 'Robotaxi' fleet in California, registering over 1,655 vehicles for its ride-hailing service since August, although it is not registered as an autonomous vehicle service. The company operates with FSD technology and has increased its drivers and vehicles significantly, but faces competition from Waymo and Zoox, and has not yet obtained a driverless testing permit in California.
Waymo's fully autonomous ride-hailing service is expanding to Baltimore, joining St. Louis, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia, with plans to work with local officials to develop regulations and prepare for deployment, including initial manual driving to familiarize with the city.
A long-time Uber driver in Atlanta shares her experience of declining earnings over the past year due to reduced demand, increased expenses, and competition from autonomous vehicles, leading her to question her future in gig work after a decade in the industry.
In China's ride-hailing industry, drivers and passengers face issues with car odors, prompting companies like DiDi to implement policies to improve cleanliness amid economic hardships and increased consumer expectations, while critics argue these measures may be superficial and overlook deeper labor issues.
Waymo has received approval to test its autonomous robotaxi service at San Francisco International Airport, marking a significant step in expanding its service area and competing with ride-hailing giants, with plans to gradually introduce testing and commercial trips for employees and the public.
Tesla is hiring a driver in Queens to test its Autopilot system on NYC streets, hinting at potential expansion of its robotaxi service in the city, following its recent pilot programs in Austin and San Francisco. The data collected may be a step toward launching autonomous ride-hailing in New York, aligning with Tesla's broader strategy to develop driverless taxis amid a challenging sales environment.