Uber and Lyft are most people’s favorite ride-share apps. In most cases, this is because they are more available than the smaller options. However, New York drivers from Uber and Lyft are protesting what they consider to be unfair behavior from companies that have hurt their pockets. It’s unclear if their actions will promote change from either company. 

Uber and Lyft drivers are protesting unfair practices

According to AMNY, hundreds of Uber and Lyft drivers took to the streets of New York on October 23rd to boycott both ride-share apps. They did this by blocking tracking and honking their horns to send a stern message. This follows several drivers for both platforms being locked out of the apps and unable to accept new rides. Of course, this also means they could not earn income. 

Reports say both ride-share apps began locking drivers out of their systems this summer. It is believed they are doing this as a way to combat the city’s minimum wage laws. Apparently, locking otherwise qualified drivers out of the app is a way to impact the utilization rate so they can pay drivers less. 

According to a leader from the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, “This summer, Uber and Lyft started locking out drivers so that they could make drivers look less empty than they are while on the app, so then they don’t have to pay drivers for all the hours that the drivers are working.”

Naturally, these actions have had drastic consequences for Uber and Lyft drivers. Some report needing to take out loans, and others say they have maxed out their credit cards to pay rent and other bills. 

One Uber driver said, “I had a car accident. I cannot afford to buy a new car because I’m scared, I’m dependent from earning. And now I cannot afford to pay for the new car. So this is the reason we are here to protest.”

Previously, the city came to an agreement with the companies to end the lockouts. However, the New York Taxi Workers Alliance has called the deal “phony” because it would not benefit Uber and Lyft drivers.