SideCar - Why we sold to GM

Why we sold to GM

source: https://www.side.cr/why-we-sold-to-gm/

JANUARY 20, 2016

Yesterday news broke of General Motor’s acquisition of Sidecar assets. Why the sale? In short, we were forced to shut down operations and sell. We were unable to compete against Uber, a company that raised more capital than any other in history and is infamous for its anti-competitive behavior. The legacy of Sidecar is that we out-innovated Uber but still failed to win the market. We failed – for the most part – because Uber is willing to win at any cost and they have practically limitless capital to do it.

When it was clear we needed to sell the company, it was important to the board and me that we continue Sidecar’s spirit of innovation and land Sidecar employees in great jobs. Finding a buyer like GM fulfilled our goals. Once the term sheet was signed with GM in December and the strategy was clear, we ceased operation of our ride and delivery operations and focused on closing the deal.

With the acquisition of Sidecar assets, GM gains the team and technology to accelerate their mobility plans and grow their new mobility offering into a world-class transportation service. The key component to the transaction is a license to Sidecar patents*. Sidecar retains ownership of those patents.

What’s next for me?  I’ve chosen not to move on with the GM team, and instead take a break before starting my next thing. It feels almost unbelievable to me that four years ago ridesharing didn’t exist. I’m proud to have led the team at Sidecar. Together we profoundly changed transportation for the better, inventing the technology that enabled the entire category like instant peer-to-peer ridesharing, shared rides, back-to-back rides, shared ETA, driver directions, and so many more.

I wish every member of Sidecar all the best. GM now has one of the most innovative, fastest-moving teams in Silicon Valley working for them.

Sunil Paul

Co-founder & CEO, Sidecar

* Sidecar holds the US Patent #6356838 for “System and method for determining an efficient transportation route” and has other patents pending.

DoorDash - A simple way to bring up the income during rider slumps

Last year I signed up to drive for Sidecar. One of the services they provided was delivering meals and flowers for patrons of other on demand apps.

I noticed that people ordered meals during the times where less ride share patrons requested services for pick up. 

Sadly, Sidecar shut down operations on December 31, 2015.

I liked being able to make extra income during the rider slumps so 
I decided to drive for Doordash.

Doordash is an app that connects patrons with local restaurants and their meals can be delivered within an hour. 

Just like with Sidecar, I started Doordash to earn money during the times that Uber and Lyft requests went down. In the Long Beach area, that is between 1:30 and 5:00.

In January Uber announced a drop in rates and Doordash turned out to be a life saver. 

On a Thursday I committed myself to about 6 hours and managed to bring in a little over $80 by delivering meals.


Depending on area, Doordash pays $5 - $6 a delivery plus tips, which range between 15% to 20 % of the ticket price.

Doordash can be done with any vehicle, bike or even on foot. 

 https://www.doordash.com/dasher/apply/

Uber to pay $7m fine to continue operating in California

Source: The Guardian

The on-demand ride-hailing app will pay the fine to resolve a dispute over the amount of data it provided to regulators.

Uber, the on-demand ride-hailing app, has agreed to pay a California regulator more than $7m in order to keep operating in its home state.

The San Francisco startup said on Wednesday evening that it will pay the California Public Utilities Commission, which governs transportation companies, to resolve a dispute about the amount of data it provided to regulators.

The incident marks the latest example of fast-moving startups learning to navigate a web of statutes they may not realize govern their companies.

A state judge this summer fined Uber $7.3m for failing to provide information on its vehicles, such as accessibility and problems with drivers. Uber said it is still appealing against that decision.

But on 13 January, state lawyers recommended a ruling that gave Uber 30 days to pay the fine or else lose the ability to operate in California. The CPUC is expected to approve that recommendation on Thursday.

“In the meantime, we will pay the fine and continue to work in good faith with the commission,” an Uber spokeswoman said in a written statement.

LYFT Offers LAX Training

I received an email from LYFT last night about mandatory training in order to pick up and drop off passengers at LAX.

I learned some things that I did not know.

1 - Passenger Pick Ups should be done at the Ride Share Pick Up areas.  These area located between terminals in the DEPARTURE level of LAX.

2 - Passenger drop offs should also be done at the Ride Share Pick Up areas.

3 - Keep your App in DRIVER mode until exiting LAX area.

4 - Do not rate passenger until you leave the LAX area and are parked.

5 - If passengers are not ready to be picked up, exit the LAX area but stay in the TNC Zone and have them call you when they are outside and ready to be picked up. Waiting is not permitted.

Training for JOHN WAYNE is also available in the session.


If drivers have not gotten the email please contact your LYFT team.

Sidecar Shutting Down Ride And Delivery Service

Sidecar, the on-demand car service in competition with Lyft and Uber, has announced that it is shutting down at the end of this year.  

Last August, Sidecar announced that it was focusing on less ride share services while increasing its efforts to deliver food, flowers and goods to patrons of Eat24 and other on demand product sellers that its network of drivers can transport from store to front door. 

On December 31 at 2pm PT, Sidecar will officially stop offering rides and deliveries.

This may not be the end of Sidecar as in its email to partners the company plans to "pursue other strategic opportunities."  

Drivers interested in being contacted regarding future driving opportunities with our shipping partners, click here. 

Drivers were also provided this email address for addition questions: support@side.cr. 

LAX pick ups becomes a reality for LYFT drivers

LA Mayor Garcetti announced yesterday that LYFT ride service may begin picking up travelers at LAX as of Dec 23 at 8:00 AM

Airport pick ups may only be done in the DEPARTURES area and only 40 LYFT cars will be permitted on the grounds at any one time, according to a Dec 23, 2015 article by the LA Times.

The LA Times reported, "The biggest loser in the rise of ride-hailing could be Southern California taxi companies, which view the airport as their last remaining revenue stronghold." 

Considering there is a far greater selection of taxis permitted in the airport facility people may be more reluctant to wait for an ride-share when they can hail a cab from the curb. 

Drivers are encouraged to know the rules of the airports while conducting business there. Rule violations often result in heavy fines and impound of vehicle.

Not all rider requests may come from LAX.  Drivers may find lots of long rides hanging around the major hotels, car rentals and metro station.

Media bias: "Cab driver pounds on UberX car, dragged 20 metres in Toronto protest"

This video has gone viral on the Web and shows a protesting taxi driver slamming on a Uber driver's car. He is clearly displaying aggression towards the driver yet the media reports he is dragged 20 meters by the driver.

If the protester let go of the door handle he would not have been dragged as the driver was attempting to flee for his safety.


http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/taxi-driver-dragged-video-1.3357166