5 ms·

One of the reasons that taxis are licensed is that they're supposed to pick up everyone and anyone. Uber and Lyft don't seem to have that problem with race (A

One of the reasons that taxis are licensed is that they're supposed to pick up everyone and anyone. Uber and Lyft don't seem to have that problem with race (AFAIK) but there are two other situations where people have trouble: (1) small children, where you need a car seat (or two) (2) people with disabilities - service animal, wheelchair, etc. Analyzing the data would hopefully show whether people had to wait for 2 hours. Also, as a substitute for race, it might be possible to see if certain areas are under-served or not served at all. Perhaps drivers are avoiding picking up in Harlem.

mlrtime 11y ago
"One of the reasons that taxis are licensed is that they're supposed to pick up everyone and anyone." Which is clearly violated thousands of times per day. Sure you can call 311 in NYC but very few people do.
- untog 11y ago
  So we shouldn't try to improve it?
- rayiner 11y ago
  The difference is, the city has the authority to crack down on it. I was just in NYC, and cabs are running a video in the back seat informing passengers that it's illegal for cabs not to pick you up for race/disability. The city doesn't legally have that kind of leverage over Uber.
  - SilasX 11y ago
    Leverage that is rarely and reluctantly used, and that no one reasonably expects to be used, and that does not translate into any observable consequences in the lives of black people attempting to get a ride. I've once heard a quip that "You have no constitutional right to eat at a restaurant, but you do have one to a speedy trial -- but which one feels more secure?" The city has "leverage" to stamp out discrimination against black people wanting a cab ride, but "no leverage" to stamp out discrimination against black people on Uber -- yet which one will more reliably secure a ride?
  - danielweber 11y ago
    I watched that video, too, right after the first cab drove off when he found out where I was going to. I could report him, but I'm a busy adult with kids of my own to mind, and I don't have time to try to parent someone else's problem.
avani 11y ago
Anecdata: As a wheelchair user and frequent traveler, Uber has never ever failed me, but hailing a cab was nearly impossible (was, because at this point even if uber charged twice what a cab does, I'd still use them every time for the certainty that they'll pick me up).

mlrtime 11y ago

"One of the reasons that taxis are licensed is that they're supposed to pick up everyone and anyone." Which is clearly violated thousands of times per day. Sure you can call 311 in NYC but very few people do.

untog 11y ago
So we shouldn't try to improve it?
rayiner 11y ago
The difference is, the city has the authority to crack down on it. I was just in NYC, and cabs are running a video in the back seat informing passengers that it's illegal for cabs not to pick you up for race/disability. The city doesn't legally have that kind of leverage over Uber.
- SilasX 11y ago
  Leverage that is rarely and reluctantly used, and that no one reasonably expects to be used, and that does not translate into any observable consequences in the lives of black people attempting to get a ride. I've once heard a quip that "You have no constitutional right to eat at a restaurant, but you do have one to a speedy trial -- but which one feels more secure?" The city has "leverage" to stamp out discrimination against black people wanting a cab ride, but "no leverage" to stamp out discrimination against black people on Uber -- yet which one will more reliably secure a ride?
- danielweber 11y ago
  I watched that video, too, right after the first cab drove off when he found out where I was going to. I could report him, but I'm a busy adult with kids of my own to mind, and I don't have time to try to parent someone else's problem.

avani 11y ago

Anecdata: As a wheelchair user and frequent traveler, Uber has never ever failed me, but hailing a cab was nearly impossible (was, because at this point even if uber charged twice what a cab does, I'd still use them every time for the certainty that they'll pick me up).