Continuing on the news coming out of Minnesota, Lyft has offered a compromise to the city of Minneapolis ahead of both major rideshare platforms threatening to pull out May 1. The Minneapolis City Council may also be reconsidering its ordinance.
Join RSG Contributor Paula Lemar as she breaks down the top headlines in this week’s rideshare news.
Lyft Offers Compromise To Minneapolis Ahead Of Rideshare Pay Ordinance
Topic Originally Appeared On Kare11
Summary
Rideshare giant Lyft has sent a letter to the Minneapolis city council suggesting a pay rate compromise for its drivers before the city’s upcoming rideshare pay ordinance takes effect.
Watch a video about it here.
Last month, the council voted to override a mayoral veto on an ordinance requiring rideshare companies to pay rates of $1.40 per mile and 51 cents per minute.
Both Lyft and Uber have announced plans to end service in Minneapolis when the new ordinance takes effect on May 1; however, some members of the council have said they’re willing to reconsider the new pay requirements.
In its letter, Lyft officials said the company “is willing to support the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry study’s recommended $.89 per mile and $.487 per minute rates.” Gov. Walz ordered the study last year after vetoing a similar rideshare pay bill at the state level.
My Take
Negotiation is better than flat-out leaving the market. While it is more than drivers are currently making, it falls short compared to the ordinance the city council agreed upon.
And if new startups are willing to follow the new payscale that the city council has structured, then why would drivers settle for less?
If Lyft is really willing to negotiate, then perhaps they can settle somewhere in the middle between their wants and the ordinance? Or is this a one-and-done offer with no further wiggle room?
As Uber, Lyft Departure Looms, Minneapolis Council Could Reconsider Ordinance Next Week
Topic Originally Appeared On MPR News
Summary
The Minneapolis City Council could reconsider its controversial ordinance boosting rideshare driver pay next Thursday. If no action is taken, Uber and Lyft will cease operations in the city and beyond by May 1.
Council Member Michael Rainville was one of three votes against overturning a veto from Mayor Frey on the ordinance earlier this year, and he shared his thoughts in an op-ed in the Star Tribune Monday.
He told MPR News the decision by his colleagues was “a move too fast” and that he’s hearing disappointment from low-income and disability communities.
My Take
Obviously there were factors that weren’t taken into consideration the first time around with this ordinance, such as what to do if Uber and Lyft do pull out of Minneapolis instead of complying.
The council members are obviously getting information spewed at them from all sides, the rideshare platforms, drivers and passengers.
It’s a lot to consider and a lot to balance to find a deal that will benefit everyone or at least not put everyone at a disadvantage compared to how things are currently run.
Maybe taking a step back and reconsidering will be worthwhile.
Angie Harmon Says Instacart Driver Shot And Killed Her ‘Beloved’ Dog
Topic Originally Appeared On CNN
Summary
Angie Harmon is mourning the loss of her dog Oliver, who she says was killed by a driver during a grocery delivery.
The actress, best known for her roles in “Law & Order” and “Rizzoli & Isles,” posted on her verified Instagram account that she and her family “are completely traumatized & beyond devastated at the loss of our beloved boy & family member.”
According to Harmon, over the Easter weekend, a man delivering groceries ordered via Instacart shot and killed the beloved family pet.
“He got out of his car, delivered the food & THEN shot our dog,” Harmon wrote in the caption on a collection of photos and a video of the dog. “Our ring camera was charging in the house, which he saw & then knew he wasn’t being recorded.”
My Take
Ok, so I can see both sides of this, and without video proof, it’s her word against his.
I love my pets and would be devastated if something like this happened to one of them. I would be out for blood against the perpetrator.
BUT, I also know to keep my pets locked up or at least kept inside if I know about a delivery coming so the chance of my pet attacking is not on the table.
In this instance, we don’t know if the dog charged the delivery person. We don’t know if it really was self-defense as the person is claiming or if it was just an act of cruelty like Harmon is implying.
If you have deliveries coming to your home, keep your pets inside. Friendly or not, it’s not worth the risk.
Waymo Self-Driving Cars Are Delivering Uber Eats Orders For First Time
Topic Originally Appeared On CNBC
Summary
Uber Eats customers may start receiving orders delivered by a Waymo self-driving car for the first time in the Phoenix metropolitan area.
The new service, which rolls out on Wednesday, marks the official launch of Uber’s delivery partnership with Waymo and is part of a broader multiyear collaboration between the two companies unveiled last year.
In October, Uber began offering rides in Waymo’s self-driving vehicles in Phoenix.
For Uber Eats, Phoenix is the seventh site with autonomous deliveries, but the first location where the delivery app will use Waymo’s vehicles.
Uber Eats has already teamed up with robotics companies Cartken, Motional, Nuro, and Serve Robotics to pilot autonomous deliveries in other markets.
My Take
Oooh interesting. But this seems inconvenient for both the restaurant and the customer. The restaurant will need to send an employee outside to put the order in the vehicle, which may not seem like a big deal because several restaurants have curbside to-go ordering.
But others just have a rack where orders sit until picked up by the courier. They don’t necessarily have a set person who can continually go outside to make sure the food is put in the correct vehicles for delivery.
Then the customer has to go outside to grab the food out of the vehicle? What if the vehicle ends up at the wrong address or the wrong building, in the case of complex apartment buildings? Do I have to have my phone on me at all times so I can unlock the car to access my food?
What if there are multiple orders? Wouldn’t it be more efficient if the car could carry more than one, like drivers can? But then what would happen if someone stole my food along with their own?
Why Gig Workers Don’t Want ‘Real Jobs’
Topic Originally Appeared On TikTok
Summary
This is relevant to the Minneapolis news, as I’m sure several people are wondering why these drivers aren’t just looking for something else to do.
Nothing is as flexible as rideshare driving. If you’re a single parent and you have to cart your kids to school and/or activities, most jobs can’t work around that while also giving you the opportunity to earn full-time income.
Most jobs won’t allow you to just stop working when you feel like you’ve earned enough money for the day. You’re stuck to the schedule you’re given with little wiggle room for being a person. Some people want the structure of a 9-5. But others flourish with flexibility.
Must Listen Or Watch RSG Content
Here are this week’s featured podcast episode and YouTube videos:
- RSG254: Curbivore Preview With Jonah Bliss
- Uber CUTTING Driver EV Incentive By 37% – Show Me The Money Club
- 6 Things Uber Eats Needs To Improve For Drivers In 2024
- Why This 8 Year Veteran Atlanta Uber/Lyft Driver Loves What She Does
- You Are Working Too Much!!!
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