Tuesday, March 21, 2017
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
Long Beach Airport to allow Uber, Lyft to pick up passengers
Source: Long Beach Press Telegram
Long Beach Airport to allow Uber, Lyft to pick up passengers — for a fee
Uber and other smartphone-based ride-share services will be coming soon to Long Beach Airport.
By Courtney Tompkins, Long Beach Press Telegram
Long Beach Airport will begin allowing Uber and Lyft drivers for a fee.
Long Beach Airport is preparing to roll out a pilot program that will allow smartphone-based ride-share services like Uber or Lyft to pick passengers up curbside.
The move would bring Long Beach in line with airports across the country that already allow access, including Los Angeles International Airport and John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana.
Representatives from cab, limousine, car rental and ride-share companies turned out for a community meeting about the program on Wednesday that turned heated as drivers from Uber and Lyft told members of the traditional transportation industry that times were changing and they needed to get on board.
Those comments came in response to calls from cab and limo companies to regulate the transportation providers equally amid concerns that adding so-called transportation network companies, or TNCs, like Uber or Lyft would create an “uneven playing field.”
Airport Director Jess Romo said the industry is regulated at the federal and state level – although, he said, the airport could create additional requirements in their agreements with TNCs.
Marco Soto of Long Beach Yellow Cab said the regulations the company and its drivers have to comply with are more extensive — and costly — than that of companies like Uber or Lyft. The differences include having to carry commercial insurance, having to provide access for the disabled, and requiring drivers to pass a drug screen and clear a fingerprint background check, all of which TNC drivers are not required to do.
Cab driver Bill Lanham, who has been driving in Long Beach for 27 years, said guys like him “are getting killed out there.”
A representative from See Jane Go, a female-only ride-share service, brushed off the claims and said the reason these companies have emerged is because the traditional industry was not meeting the needs of the consumer.
Drivers say they already pick up airport passengers who walk a quarter mile to Lakewood Boulevard rather than catching a ride from a taxi cab inside airport property.
Romo said the goal of the six-month pilot program is to gauge impacts associated with adding such services and iron out a policy that is fair to all parties.
“We need to find a balance,” he said.
The program is slated to begin on April 1, pending City Council approval in March.
If approved, the program would include a $3 fee for all pick-ups and drop-offs in addition to increased permit and application fees, which could double from $50 to $100 and $60 to $120, respectively.
Other airports in California, including Sacramento International, John Wayne Airport and LAX, charge a fee of between $1.35 and $4.06.
Permanent changes to the ground transportation policy could include incorporating the fee-based system for pick-ups and drop-offs and integration of a transponder system, similar to the FasTrak system used on toll roads.
Officials will continue accepting comments from the public through Feb. 10. Comments can be sent via email to LGBarpt@longbeach.gov.
Long Beach Airport to allow Uber, Lyft to pick up passengers — for a fee
Uber and other smartphone-based ride-share services will be coming soon to Long Beach Airport.
By Courtney Tompkins, Long Beach Press Telegram
Long Beach Airport will begin allowing Uber and Lyft drivers for a fee.
Long Beach Airport is preparing to roll out a pilot program that will allow smartphone-based ride-share services like Uber or Lyft to pick passengers up curbside.
The move would bring Long Beach in line with airports across the country that already allow access, including Los Angeles International Airport and John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana.
Representatives from cab, limousine, car rental and ride-share companies turned out for a community meeting about the program on Wednesday that turned heated as drivers from Uber and Lyft told members of the traditional transportation industry that times were changing and they needed to get on board.
Those comments came in response to calls from cab and limo companies to regulate the transportation providers equally amid concerns that adding so-called transportation network companies, or TNCs, like Uber or Lyft would create an “uneven playing field.”
Airport Director Jess Romo said the industry is regulated at the federal and state level – although, he said, the airport could create additional requirements in their agreements with TNCs.
Marco Soto of Long Beach Yellow Cab said the regulations the company and its drivers have to comply with are more extensive — and costly — than that of companies like Uber or Lyft. The differences include having to carry commercial insurance, having to provide access for the disabled, and requiring drivers to pass a drug screen and clear a fingerprint background check, all of which TNC drivers are not required to do.
Cab driver Bill Lanham, who has been driving in Long Beach for 27 years, said guys like him “are getting killed out there.”
A representative from See Jane Go, a female-only ride-share service, brushed off the claims and said the reason these companies have emerged is because the traditional industry was not meeting the needs of the consumer.
Drivers say they already pick up airport passengers who walk a quarter mile to Lakewood Boulevard rather than catching a ride from a taxi cab inside airport property.
Romo said the goal of the six-month pilot program is to gauge impacts associated with adding such services and iron out a policy that is fair to all parties.
“We need to find a balance,” he said.
The program is slated to begin on April 1, pending City Council approval in March.
If approved, the program would include a $3 fee for all pick-ups and drop-offs in addition to increased permit and application fees, which could double from $50 to $100 and $60 to $120, respectively.
Other airports in California, including Sacramento International, John Wayne Airport and LAX, charge a fee of between $1.35 and $4.06.
Permanent changes to the ground transportation policy could include incorporating the fee-based system for pick-ups and drop-offs and integration of a transponder system, similar to the FasTrak system used on toll roads.
Officials will continue accepting comments from the public through Feb. 10. Comments can be sent via email to LGBarpt@longbeach.gov.
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Uber and Lyft Boycotts Over Trump Immigration Policies
Uber and Lyft Boycotts Over Trump Immigration Policies
Viral reports that people in the U.S. are deleting Uber and Lyft apps over the company's response to President Trumps immigration ban of immigrants from 7 Muslim nations.
iRumorMill.com Determination: Real
Depending on where they stand with President Trump, Lyft and Uber clients are deleting their apps from one of the ride share services.
Uber customers were upset over surge charges that were imposed when taxis at JFK went on strike to protest an immigration pause, which President Trump enacted by Executive Order. This according to a Jan 30, 2017 article by CNBC. Rideshare apps automatically increase fees when there is a greater demand for services.
On Jan 29, 2016, Uber CEO Travis Kalanick sent this notice to drivers:
At Uber we've always believed in standing up for what's right. Today we need your help supporting drivers who may be impacted by President Trump's new immigration ban.
Drivers who are citizens of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen and live in the US but have left the country, will not be able to return for 90 days. This means they won't be able to earn money and support their families during this period.
It's important that as a community we do everything we can to help these drivers. Here's what Uber will do:
• Provide 24/7 legal support for drivers who are trying to get back into the country. Our lawyers and immigration experts will be on call 24/7 to help.
• Compensate drivers for their lost earnings. This will help them support their families and put food on the table while they are banned from the US.
• Urge the government to reinstate the right of US residents to travel—whatever their country of origin—immediately.
• Create a $3 million legal defense fund to help drivers with immigration and translation services.
If you are a driver or a friend or family member of someone who has been affected, please contact us here.
Uber is a community. We're here to support each other. Please help Uber to help drivers who may be affected by this unjust and wrong immigration ban.
TravisUber Founder & CEO
Drivers who are citizens of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen and live in the US but have left the country, will not be able to return for 90 days. This means they won't be able to earn money and support their families during this period.
It's important that as a community we do everything we can to help these drivers. Here's what Uber will do:
• Provide 24/7 legal support for drivers who are trying to get back into the country. Our lawyers and immigration experts will be on call 24/7 to help.
• Compensate drivers for their lost earnings. This will help them support their families and put food on the table while they are banned from the US.
• Urge the government to reinstate the right of US residents to travel—whatever their country of origin—immediately.
• Create a $3 million legal defense fund to help drivers with immigration and translation services.
If you are a driver or a friend or family member of someone who has been affected, please contact us here.
Uber is a community. We're here to support each other. Please help Uber to help drivers who may be affected by this unjust and wrong immigration ban.
TravisUber Founder & CEO
Kalanick received additional criticism because he "was one of several tech executives named on Trump’s business advisory group, including Tesla’s Elon Musk and IBM’s Ginni Rometty." This according to a Jan. 30, 2017 article by Salon.
Lyft announced to drivers that they are standing against Trump and sending a $1 million donation to the ACLU:
We created Lyft to be a model for the type of community we want our world to be: diverse, inclusive, and safe.
This weekend, Trump closed the country's borders to refugees, immigrants, and even documented residents from around the world based on their country of origin. Banning people of a particular faith or creed, race or identity, sexuality or ethnicity, from entering the U.S. is antithetical to both Lyft's and our nation's core values. We stand firmly against these actions, and will not be silent on issues that threaten the values of our community.
We know this directly impacts many of our community members, their families, and friends. We stand with you, and are donating $1,000,000 over the next four years to the ACLU to defend our constitution. We ask that you continue to be there for each other - and together, continue proving the power of community.
John & LoganLyft Co-Founders
This weekend, Trump closed the country's borders to refugees, immigrants, and even documented residents from around the world based on their country of origin. Banning people of a particular faith or creed, race or identity, sexuality or ethnicity, from entering the U.S. is antithetical to both Lyft's and our nation's core values. We stand firmly against these actions, and will not be silent on issues that threaten the values of our community.
We know this directly impacts many of our community members, their families, and friends. We stand with you, and are donating $1,000,000 over the next four years to the ACLU to defend our constitution. We ask that you continue to be there for each other - and together, continue proving the power of community.
John & LoganLyft Co-Founders
Sunday, October 2, 2016
Sign up and Drive
Every month there are sign up incentives and with the holidays rolling up this is a good time.
Best tip is to sign up with one company the first moth, meet the driving requirements to get your bonus. After you have done your minimum rides and you have been notified that you have a bonus coming, simply sign up for the second company and drive to get that sign in bonus.
Drive for Uber:
https://partners.uber.com/i/rouhg
Drive for Lyft:
https://www.lyft.com/drive-with-lyft?ref=TONY083870&utm_medium=d2d_referral_email
Best tip is to sign up with one company the first moth, meet the driving requirements to get your bonus. After you have done your minimum rides and you have been notified that you have a bonus coming, simply sign up for the second company and drive to get that sign in bonus.
Drive for Uber:
https://partners.uber.com/i/rouhg
Drive for Lyft:
https://www.lyft.com/drive-with-lyft?ref=TONY083870&utm_medium=d2d_referral_email
Saturday, June 25, 2016
DWI arrests spike after Uber/Lyft leave Austin
This just in from; KEYE TV
Source: http://keyetv.com/news/local/dwi-arrests-spike-after-uberlyft-leave-austin
DWI arrests spike after Uber/Lyft leave Austin
BY LINDSAY LIEPMAN WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22ND 2016
DWI arrests have spiked since Uber and Lyft left Austin. The Austin Police Department released new numbers to KEYE TV that show there were 359 DWI arrests from May 9, the day Uber and Lyft shut down, to May 31st of this year. Last year during the same time period, there were 334 arrests. That's a 7.5 percent increase in the weeks following their departure.
"It's an everyday pain that you live with," said Deborah Tatum.
Tatum wishes for one more day with her son Greg. She spends his birthday every May at his grave. "We take lots of balloons and confetti and decorations and we decorate my son's grave. That's all we have of him is his grave," said Tatum.
He was 20 years old when a friend drove drunk and killed Greg and another young person. "When Greg was killed, we made it our mission as a family," said Tatum.
A mission to stop drunk drivers.
Greg's brother started driving for Uber. "When Brian had the chance to drive for Uber that was his goal. To take as many drunks off the road to save the families from going through what we're going through," said Tatum.
She believes Uber and Lyft were saving lives. "I knew the numbers would go up. Everybody knew the numbers would go up," said Tatum.
Tatum would like to see Uber and Lyft return because they made it cheap and easy for drunk drivers to get home safely. "Nobody wants that phone call. No one wants a knock on the door that says you're loved one has died from something that can be prevented," said Tatum.
When asked for a comment on the numbers, APD issued the following statement:
Data set is too limited to draw any conclusions. However, anytime we experience an increase in DWI it is cause for concern.
A number of other factors could also affect those numbers, but KEYE TV will keep tracking them.
Source: http://keyetv.com/news/local/dwi-arrests-spike-after-uberlyft-leave-austin
DWI arrests spike after Uber/Lyft leave Austin
BY LINDSAY LIEPMAN WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22ND 2016
DWI arrests have spiked since Uber and Lyft left Austin. The Austin Police Department released new numbers to KEYE TV that show there were 359 DWI arrests from May 9, the day Uber and Lyft shut down, to May 31st of this year. Last year during the same time period, there were 334 arrests. That's a 7.5 percent increase in the weeks following their departure.
"It's an everyday pain that you live with," said Deborah Tatum.
Tatum wishes for one more day with her son Greg. She spends his birthday every May at his grave. "We take lots of balloons and confetti and decorations and we decorate my son's grave. That's all we have of him is his grave," said Tatum.
He was 20 years old when a friend drove drunk and killed Greg and another young person. "When Greg was killed, we made it our mission as a family," said Tatum.
A mission to stop drunk drivers.
Greg's brother started driving for Uber. "When Brian had the chance to drive for Uber that was his goal. To take as many drunks off the road to save the families from going through what we're going through," said Tatum.
She believes Uber and Lyft were saving lives. "I knew the numbers would go up. Everybody knew the numbers would go up," said Tatum.
Tatum would like to see Uber and Lyft return because they made it cheap and easy for drunk drivers to get home safely. "Nobody wants that phone call. No one wants a knock on the door that says you're loved one has died from something that can be prevented," said Tatum.
When asked for a comment on the numbers, APD issued the following statement:
Data set is too limited to draw any conclusions. However, anytime we experience an increase in DWI it is cause for concern.
A number of other factors could also affect those numbers, but KEYE TV will keep tracking them.
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Bratty Miami Doctor Fired!
NBC News announced on Apr. 22, 2016 that the "neurology resident with Miami's Jackson Health System has been fired after a controversial video involving an Uber driver went viral in January."
For all the details and video go to:
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/national-international/Jackson-Health-System-Doctor-Fired-After-Uber-Incident-376774041.html
For all the details and video go to:
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/national-international/Jackson-Health-System-Doctor-Fired-After-Uber-Incident-376774041.html
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Keeping up those 5 Star Ratings
A driver wrote in one of the Facebook boards that he was only going to do airport runs to boost his ratings. I offered some tips:
1 Do not pick up drunks - drunks do not appreciate our services and all we are is a cheap alternative to a Yellow cab. Let them puke in the Yellow cabs. Grumpy old drunks do nothing for us other than complain about our music or driving abilities. Then when we pick up the next rider they complain of beer fart smells,
2 Get a monthly car wash plan and use it daily- Most car wash businesses offer a monthly rate to professional drivers. For $40 to $60 a month you can get unlimited car washes. Shop around for the best service in your area.
3 Keep FABREEZE in the glove box and use it after pax exits car- Body order and beer farts offend passengers who get in the back seat after an offending pax. Good investment!
4 Always introduce yourself to the rider and ask them to tell you if there is anything you can do to make their ride a better experience. Courtesy warrants 5 stars!
5 Radio off unless they request it. If people get in your car and hear a type of music they dislike, down goes the stars. The last thing Joe Country-Fan wants to hear is Rap or Hip Hop in the car when he gets in. Same goes for Joe Snoop-Poopy-Scoooper-Fan who does not want to hear shit kicking music cramping his Ghetto life style.
6 Be observant of the pax. If they do not want to chat or are reading, perhaps they may not want conversation. Know when to shut up. Also if the conversation strays to politics try to be courteous of all sides of the political fence.
7 Don't forget to say please and thank you. Courtesy warrants 5 stars!
8 When the pax exits the vehicle be sure to tell them YOU are giving THEM 5 stars. If they know THEY are getting graded maybe they will think twice about not giving you 5 stars.
1 Do not pick up drunks - drunks do not appreciate our services and all we are is a cheap alternative to a Yellow cab. Let them puke in the Yellow cabs. Grumpy old drunks do nothing for us other than complain about our music or driving abilities. Then when we pick up the next rider they complain of beer fart smells,
2 Get a monthly car wash plan and use it daily- Most car wash businesses offer a monthly rate to professional drivers. For $40 to $60 a month you can get unlimited car washes. Shop around for the best service in your area.
3 Keep FABREEZE in the glove box and use it after pax exits car- Body order and beer farts offend passengers who get in the back seat after an offending pax. Good investment!
4 Always introduce yourself to the rider and ask them to tell you if there is anything you can do to make their ride a better experience. Courtesy warrants 5 stars!
5 Radio off unless they request it. If people get in your car and hear a type of music they dislike, down goes the stars. The last thing Joe Country-Fan wants to hear is Rap or Hip Hop in the car when he gets in. Same goes for Joe Snoop-Poopy-Scoooper-Fan who does not want to hear shit kicking music cramping his Ghetto life style.
6 Be observant of the pax. If they do not want to chat or are reading, perhaps they may not want conversation. Know when to shut up. Also if the conversation strays to politics try to be courteous of all sides of the political fence.
7 Don't forget to say please and thank you. Courtesy warrants 5 stars!
8 When the pax exits the vehicle be sure to tell them YOU are giving THEM 5 stars. If they know THEY are getting graded maybe they will think twice about not giving you 5 stars.
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